Difference Between Prokaryotic Cell and Eukaryotic Cell & their Comparisons
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Difference between Prokaryotic Cell and Eukaryotic Cell: Robert Hooks in the year 1665 discovered a cell. Cells are the basic fundamental unit of living organisms. Depending upon the internal structure of the cell there are two types of cells found in an organism namely the Prokaryotic cell and Eukaryotic cell. In this article, we will get to know the difference between a Prokaryotic cell and a Eukaryotic cell. The basic difference between prokaryotic cells and eukaryotic cells is that Prokaryotes are unicellular while Eukaryotes are multicellular.
Difference between Prokaryotic Cell and Eukaryotic Cell
The difference between the two is that in prokaryotes membrane-bound organelles are absent while in eukaryotes membrane-bound organelles are present. Also, in prokaryotes, there is the absence of a well-defined nucleus whereas in eukaryotes there is a presence of a well-defined nucleus. The other differences are based on cell size, cell structure, DNA form, Complexity, etc are tabulated below-
| Basis of Comparison | Prokaryotic Cell | Eukaryotic Cell |
| Membrane-bound organelles | Absent | Present |
| Nucleus | There is the absence of a well-defined nucleus. Furthermore, there is the presence of a nucleoid here which is an open region that contains DNA | There is certainly the presence of a well-defined nucleus here. Furthermore, a nuclear membrane encloses its |
| Cell size | The cell size is smaller(0.1-5 μm) | The cell size is larger(10-100 μm) in contrast |
| Cell structure | Unicellular structure | Most eukaryotic cells are multicellular. However, some are unicellular |
| DNA Form | They have a circular DNA form | They have a linear DNA form |
| Complexity | Simpler | More complex in comparison to prokaryotic cells |
| Cell wall | The cell wall is present here. Furthermore, it comprises mucopeptide or peptidoglycan | Usually, there is an absence of a cell wall here. However, in case it is present, it comprises cellulose |
| Mitochondria | Absent | Present |
| Ribosome | The 70S | The 80S |
| Shape of DNA | Double-stranded circular DNA | Double-stranded Linear DNA |
| Golgi Apparatus | Absent | Present |
| Mode of Reproduction | Asexual | Sexual reproduction is certainly the most common here |
| Endoplasmic Reticulum | Absent | Present |
| Peroxisomes and Lysosomes | Absent | Present |
| Cell Division | Binary fission, transduction, conjugation, and transformation | Mitosis |
| Translation and Transcription | It occurs together | Translation happens in the cytosol. Moreover, transcription happens in the nucleus |
| Number of chromosomes | Only one | More than one |
| Replication | These cells have a single origin of replication | These cells have multiple origins of replication |
| Organelles | The organelles in prokaryotic cells are not membrane-bound | The organelles in eukaryotic cells are certainly specific in function. Most noteworthy, they are membrane-bound |
| Examples | Archea and bacteria | Fungi, protists, animals, and plants |
Prokaryotic Cell Structure
A Prokaryotic Cell is generally rod, spherical, and elongated means exhibit a variety of shapes. The genetic material is naked means it does not have a nuclear envelope. A prokaryotic cell structure is as follows:
Cell Wall– It is the outermost layer of the cell that gives shape and support to the cell.
Cytoplasm– The cytoplasm is mainly composed of enzymes, salts, and cell organelles and is a Fluid matrix component.
Cell Membrane– This membrane is semi-permeable in nature. The Cell membrane surrounds the cytoplasm and regulates the entry and exit of substances in the cells.
Pili– These are hair-like outgrowths present at the surface of other bacterial cells.
Flagella– These are long hair-like appendages, that help in the movement of a cell.
Ribosomes– These are involved in protein synthesis, they are in the 70s in prokaryotes.
Plasmids– Many bacteria have small circular-shaped DNA outside the genomic DNA. This smaller DNA is referred to as plasmids. The plasmid DNA has certain unique phenotypic characteristics to such bacteria as resistance to antibiotics
Nucleoid Region– The region which has the presence of genetic material.
A prokaryotic cell does not have certain organelles like mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum, and Golgi bodies.
Eukaryotic Cell Structure
The eukaryotes include protists, plants, animals, and fungi. In eukaryotic cells, there is proper compartmentalization of cytoplasm through the presence of membrane-bound organelles. Eukaryotic cells have an organized nucleus with a nuclear envelope. In addition, eukaryotic cells have a variety of complex mobility and cytoskeletal structures. Their genetic material is organized into chromosomes. A eukaryotic cell has the following structure-
Cell Wall- The cell wall is composed of cellulose, pectin, and hemicellulose. The vital function of the cell wall is to protect and provide structural support to the cell. Also, the plant cell wall is also involved in protecting the cell against mechanical stress and providing form and structure to the cell.
Nucleus- This part of the cell is a membrane-bound structure that is present only in eukaryotic cells. The primary function of a nucleus is to store DNA or hereditary information required for cell division, metabolism, and growth. The Nucleus consists of the nucleolus and nucleopore.
Plastids- These membrane-bound organelles have their own DNA. The most important function of Plastids is photosynthesis and storage.
Golgi Apparatus- The main function of this organelle is the packaging and secretion of proteins.
Ribosomes- These are the smallest membrane-bound organelles that comprise RNA and protein. The function of this organelle is the synthesis of protein. In eukaryotes, they are the 80s.
Mitochondria- They are popularly known as the “Powerhouse of the cells”. The main function of mitochondria is to produce energy.
Lysosome- Lysosomes are called “Suicidal bags” as they hold digestive enzymes in an enclosed membrane. They perform the function of cellular waste disposal.
Endoplasmic Reticulum- Electron microscopic studies of eukaryotic cells reveal the presence of a network or reticulum of tiny tubular structures scattered in the cytoplasm which is called the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). The ER often shows ribosomes attached to their outer surface. The endoplasmic reticulum bearing ribosomes on its surface is called the rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER). In the absence of ribosomes, they appear smooth and are called the smooth endoplasmic reticulum (SER).