Eukaryotic cells contain a nucleus and organelles bound by plasma membranes. Fungi, plants, and animals are made of eukaryotic cells (eukaryotes). Prokaryotic cells do not have a membrane-bound nucleus or organelles. All bacteria and members of Archaea are made of prokaryotic cells (prokaryotes). Show
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Difference Between Eukaryotic And Prokaryotic CellsThe most obvious difference between them is that prokaryotes have no nuclei, but there are four major differences between a eukaryotic and prokaryotic cell:
Similarities Between Prokaryotic And Eukaryotic CellsFor all their differences, prokaryotes and eukaryotes have a few similarities share some common structures (due to physics and evolution), and though their DNA is different, they even share some genetic features. Both types of cells have five similarities:
Structures Found In Prokaryotic And Eukaryotic CellsAll living organisms use cellular organization to create structures to conduct life processes. Cells organize into tissues, which organize into organs, which organize into amazing life forms like plants, fungi, dogs, ducks, and people. Intracellular structures are common to both types of cells. Both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells have:
ProkaryotesAn organism with prokaryotic cells is a prokaryote. Prokaryotic organisms get their names from the Greek roots, pro (before) and karyon (nut or kernel). This roughly means they are cells with structures so simple that they came from a time before a cell's nucleus existed. The three domains of life, Eukaryota, Bacteria, and Archaea, include two branches that are prokaryotes:
Only the domain, Eukaryota, has eukaryotic cells. Examples of archaea include Crenarchaeota (living in extreme acidity or temperatures) and Euryarchaeota (living in salty water or producing methane). Prokaryotic CellsProkaryotic cells are extremely small, much smaller than eukaryotic cells. A typical prokaryotic cell is of a size ranging from 0.1 microns (mycoplasma bacteria) to 5.0 microns. 1 micron or micrometer, μm, is one-thousandth of a millimeter or one-millionth of a meter. Anywhere from 200 to 10,000 prokaryotic cells could fit on the head of a pin. Their small size makes prokaryotic cells just one half to one-thousandth the size of a eukaryotic cell, which is typically between 10 and 100 μm. One amazing prokaryotic outlier is Thiomargarita namibiensis, the largest bacterium ever discovered, coming in at a whopping 100 to 300 μm. That is large enough to see in a light microscope. Prokaryotic OrganellesProkaryotes have no organelles in their cells! All the equivalent functions of eukaryotic cells are performed by four structures: a plasma membrane, cytoplasm, ribosomes, and genetic material (both rDNA and DNA). Facts About Prokaryotic Cells
EukaryotesFungi, plants, protista, and all animals (including humans) are eukaryotes. We are all built with eukaryotic cells. The word eukaryote comes from two Greek roots, eu (good, well), and karyon (nut, kernel), so a eukaryote has a well-defined or “good” nucleus (kernel) in its cells. Eukaryotes CellsEukaryotic cells have nuclei and organelles, which immediately sets them apart from prokaryotic cells. The organelles in eukaryotic cells act as tiny membrane-bound compartments performing all the functions of life in the cell: energy acquisition and transfer, digestion, waste management, reproduction, and cellular respiration. Some of these eukaryotic cell organelles are:
Size Of Eukaryotic CellsIn general, eukaryotic cells are much bigger than prokaryotic cells. One eukaryotic cell could be double to 1,000 times the size of a prokaryotic cell. Eukaryotic cells measure between 10 µm and 100 µm, which means you could barely see them with a standard school light microscope. Eukaryote Characteristics
QuizCell biology can be tricky stuff, so check your understanding by answering these questions.
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What is one similarity between prokaryotic cells and eukaryotic cells that is independent of size?Simple, primitive cells are prokaryotic; they have no nucleus and no organelles encased in plasma membranes. Three similarities between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells are that both have vesicles, vacuoles, and the ability to carry out the eight functions of life.
What are the similarities between a prokaryotic cell and a eukaryotic cell?Eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells both use deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) as the basis for their genetic information. This genetic material is needed to regulate and inform cell function through the creation of RNA by transcription, followed by the generation of proteins through translation.
What are the similarities and difference between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells?Difference between Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic Cells. |