Prokaroytic and Eukaroytic cell

Microorganisms and all other living organisms are classified as

prokaryotes or eukaryotes. Prokaryotes and eukaryotes are distinguished on the
basis of their cellular characteristics. All organisms except bacteria are made up
of eukaryotic cells.

Prokaryotes are organisms without a cell nucleus or any other membrane-

bound organelles. Most are unicellular, but some prokaryotes are multicellular.
Prokaryotes include several kinds of microorganisms, such as bacteria and
cyanobacteria.
Eukaryotes are organisms whose cells are organized into complex structures
by internal membranes and a cytoskeleton. The most characteristic membrane
bound structure is the nucleus. Animals, plants, fungi, and protists are
eukaryotes. Eukaryotes include such microorganisms as fungi, protozoa, and
simple algae.

Prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells are similar in several ways. Both

types of cells are enclosed by cell membranes (plasma membranes), and both use
DNA for their genetic information. Viruses are considered neither prokaryotes
nor eukaryotes because they lack the characteristics of living things, except the
ability to replicate (which they accomplish only in living cells). Eukaryotes are
considered as more advanced than prokaryotes.

The distinction between prokaryotes and eukaryotes is considered to be the

most important distinction among groups of organisms.
 Differences between Prokaroytic and Eukaroytic cell

Eukaryotic cell Prokaryotic Cell

Nucleus Present Absent

Number of More than one One--but not true chromosome: Plasmids
chromosomes
Usually multicellular Usually unicellular (some cyanobacteria may be
Cell Type
multicellular)
True Present Absent
Membrane
bound Nucleus
Example Animals and Plants Bacteria and Archaea
Protein Occur in cytoplasm, Occur in cytoplasm only
synthesis mitochondria, plastids
Lysosomes Present Absent
and
peroxisomes
Formed in cell division Not formed in cell division
Mitotic
Spindle

Microtubules Present Absent or rare

Endoplasmic Present Absent
reticulum
Mitochondria Present Absent
Cytoskeleton Present May be absent
Nuclear DNA linear Circular in nature
DNA and Extra nuclear
Circular in nature.
Ribosomes Larger (80 S) Smaller (70 S)
Vesicles Present Present
Golgi Present Absent
apparatus
Chloroplasts Present (in plants) Absent; chlorophyll scattered in the cytoplasm
Microscopic in size; Submicroscopic in size, composed of only one
Flagella membrane bound fiber
 Eukaryotic cell Prokaryotic Cell

Presence of In mitochondria, In cytoplasm only

DNA nucleus, chloroplasts
Not present Present in many cells
Plasmid

Nuclear Present not present

Membrane
Cell cycle Long (12-24 hours) Short (20-60 min)
Only in plant cells and Usually chemically complexed
Cell wall fungi (chemically
simpler)
Vacuoles Present Present
Nitrogen None is capable Some are capable
fixation
Cell size 10-100um 1-10um

Cytoplasm Contain organelles Lack organelles