What are the differences between prokaryotes and eukaryotes?

Question

Accepted Answer

Based on the structure and functions, cells are broadly classified as prokaryotic cell and eukaryotic cell Prokaryotes are small, single-cellular organisms while eukaryotes are large, complex organisms. There are several differences between these two types of cells.

Basic for comparison
Prokaryotes
Eukaryotes

Cell type & complexity
Unicellular, simple
Multicellular, complex

Size & Structure
0.5-3um, cell wall present
2-100um, cell wall absent except in few plant cells and fungus

Presence & Structure of Nucleus
Does not have a well-defined nucleus. DNA is contained in an open region called a nucleoid
Has a well-defined nucleus enclosed in a nuclear membrane

Shape & Structure of DNA
Circular, double-stranded DNA
Linear, double-stranded DNA

Presence of organelles
Mitochondria, Golgi Apparatus, and Endoplasmic Reticulum are absent
Mitochondria, Golgi Apparatus, and Endoplasmic Reticulum are present

Lysosomes & peroxisomes
Absent
Present

Mesosomes
Present
Absent

Chloroplasts
Absent &ndash; chlorophyll is dispersed in cytoplasm
Present in plants

Number of chromosomes
One, not true chromosome called plasmid
More than one

Origin of replication
Single origin
Multiple origins

Ribosomes
May be free in cytoplasm or bound to cell membrane
Attached to rough endoplasmic reticulum

Cell Division
Binary fission
Mitosis

Transcription & translation
Both occur simultaneously
Transcription occurs in nucleus followed by translation in cytoplasm

Site of DNA replication
Cytoplasm
Nucleus

Genetic recombination
Partial, unidirectional transfer
Meiosis and fusion of gametes

DNA wrapping on proteins
Multiple proteins simultaneously fold and condense DNA, which is then organized in various conformations
DNA is wrapped around proteins known as histones

Mode of reproduction
Asexual (binary fission)
Mostly sexual

Mode of respiration
Via cytoplasmic membrane
Via mitochondria

Major groups
Archaea, Bacteria, Bluegreen Algae
Algae, Plants, Animals, Fungi

Basic for comparison	Prokaryotes	Eukaryotes
Cell type & complexity	Unicellular, simple	Multicellular, complex
Size & Structure	0.5-3um, cell wall present	2-100um, cell wall absent except in few plant cells and fungus
Presence & Structure of Nucleus	Does not have a well-defined nucleus. DNA is contained in an open region called a nucleoid	Has a well-defined nucleus enclosed in a nuclear membrane
Shape & Structure of DNA	Circular, double-stranded DNA	Linear, double-stranded DNA
Presence of organelles	Mitochondria, Golgi Apparatus, and Endoplasmic Reticulum are absent	Mitochondria, Golgi Apparatus, and Endoplasmic Reticulum are present
Lysosomes & peroxisomes	Absent	Present
Mesosomes	Present	Absent
Chloroplasts	Absent – chlorophyll is dispersed in cytoplasm	Present in plants
Number of chromosomes	One, not true chromosome called plasmid	More than one
Origin of replication	Single origin	Multiple origins
Ribosomes	May be free in cytoplasm or bound to cell membrane	Attached to rough endoplasmic reticulum
Cell Division	Binary fission	Mitosis
Transcription & translation	Both occur simultaneously	Transcription occurs in nucleus followed by translation in cytoplasm
Site of DNA replication	Cytoplasm	Nucleus
Genetic recombination	Partial, unidirectional transfer	Meiosis and fusion of gametes
DNA wrapping on proteins	Multiple proteins simultaneously fold and condense DNA, which is then organized in various conformations	DNA is wrapped around proteins known as histones
Mode of reproduction	Asexual (binary fission)	Mostly sexual
Mode of respiration	Via cytoplasmic membrane	Via mitochondria
Major groups	Archaea, Bacteria, Bluegreen Algae	Algae, Plants, Animals, Fungi

What are the differences between prokaryotes and eukaryotes?

Posted February 3, 2021