Differences Between Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic Cells
Posted October 4, 2022 by Anusha ‐ 1 min read
According to the morphological point of view, prokaryotic cells are the most primitive cells. They do not have a definite nucleus which includes bacteria and cyanobacteria (blue-green algae). It is believed that eukaryotes have evolved from the prokaryotes. They have been characterised by their membrane nucleus. They contain organelles like mitochondria bounded by membranes and are located in the cytoplasm.
Difference between Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic Cells
| Prokaryotic Cell | Eukaryotic cell |
|---|---|
| Size is 0.1- 5.0 um | Size is 5-100 um |
| Nucleus is absent | Nucleus is present |
| Membrane-bound nucleus absent. | Membrane-bound Nucleus is present. |
| One chromosome is present, but not true chromosome plastids | More than one number of chromosomes is present. |
| Unicellular | Multicellular |
| Lysosomes and Peroxisomes absent | Lysosomes and Peroxisomes present |
| Microtubules absent | Microtubules present |
| Endoplasmic reticulum absent | Endoplasmic reticulum present |
| Mitochondria absent | Mitochondria present |
| Cytoskeleton absent | Cytoskeleton present |
| Ribosomes smaller | Ribosomes larger |
| Vesicles present | Vesicles present |
| Golgi apparatus absent | Golgi apparatus present |
| Chloroplasts absent; chlorophyll scattered in the cytoplasm | Chloroplasts present in plants |
| Submicroscopic in size Flagella is present and made up of only one fiber | Microscopic in size, membrane-bound |
| Cell wall chemically complexed | Cell wall is present in plants and fungi and chemically simpler |
| Vacuoles absent | Vacuoles present |
| Permeability of Nuclear membrane is not present | Permeability of Nuclear membrane is selective |
| Sexual reproduction is absent | Sexual reproduction is present |
| Endocytosis and exocytosis are absent. | Endocytosis and exocytosis occurred |
| It may have pili and fimbriae. | Pili and fimbriae are absent |
| Transcription occurs in the cytoplasm | Transcription occurs inside the nucleus. |
| Examples: Bacteria and Archaea | Examples: Protists, Fungi, Plants, and Animals |