What is the difference between a Prokaryotic and a Eukaryotic cell?

Question

What is the difference between a Prokaryotic and a Eukaryotic cell?

Answer 1

Prokaryotic cell is most simple cell found in Prokaryotes like Bacteria. It is without a definite nucleus and sub cellular organelles like mitochondria, golgi, ER etc. The nuclear material is in the form of single coiled chromosome in the cytoplasm.The ribosomes are 70s type.

Eukaryotic cell is highly evolved cell found in the members of Protists, Muticellular animals, Plants & Fungi. The cells have well defined nucleus with nuclear membrane containing definite number of chromosomes. The cells also contain subcellular organelles like Mitochondria, golgi, ER, lysosomes etc. The ribosomes are 80s type.

Answer 2

Characteristic

Prokaryotes

Eukaryotes

Size of cell

Typically 0.2-2.0 m m in diameter - P

Typically 10-100 m m in diameter -E



Nucleus

No nuclear membrane or nucleoli (nucleoid) - P

True nucleus, consisting of nuclear membrane & nucleoli -E



Membrane-enclosed organelles

Absent -P

Present; examples include lysosomes, Golgi complex, endoplasmic reticulum, mitochondria & chloroplasts -E



Flagella

Consist of two protein building blocks -P

Complex; consist of multiple microtubules -E



Glycocalyx

Present as a capsule or slime layer - P

Present in some cells that lack a cell wall - E



Cell wall

Usually present; chemically complex (typical bacterial cell wall includes peptidoglycan) -P

When present, chemically simple -E



Plasma membrane

No carbohydrates and generally lacks sterols - P

Sterols and carbohydrates that serve as receptors present - E



Cytoplasm

No cytosketeton or cytoplasmic streaming -P

Cytoskeleton; cytoplasmic streaming -E



Ribosomes

Smaller size (70S)  - P

Larger size (80S); smaller size (70S) in organelles -E



Chromosome (DNA) arrangement

Single circular chromosome; lacks histones - P

Multiple linear chromosomes with histones - E



Cell division

Binary fission - P

Mitosis - E



Sexual reproduction

No meiosis; transfer of DNA fragments only (conjugation) - P

Involves meiosis - E