Prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells

• prokaryotic cells - definition 


  Prokaryotic cells are single-celled organisms that lack a nucleus and other membrane-bound organelles. They are typically smaller and simpler in structure compared to eukaryotic cells.
• similarities both eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells have

  • a plasma membrane
  • cytoplasm
  • ribosomes for assembling amino acids into proteins
  • DNA and RNA
• How do prokaryotic cells compare in size to eukaryotic cells?

  Prokaryotic cells are much smaller.
• What is a key difference in the cytoskeleton between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells?

  Prokaryotic cells have a much less well-developed cytoskeleton with no centrioles.
• Do prokaryotic cells have a nucleus?

  No, prokaryotic cells do not have a nucleus.
• What type of organelles are absent in prokaryotic cells?

  Prokaryotic cells do not have membrane-bound organelles such as mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum, chloroplasts, or Golgi apparatus.
• What is the composition of the cell wall in prokaryotic cells?

  The cell wall of prokaryotic cells is made of peptidoglycan.
• How do ribosomes in prokaryotic cells compare to those in eukaryotic cells?

  Prokaryotic cells have smaller ribosomes.
• How is the DNA in prokaryotic cells structured?

  Prokaryotic cells have naked DNA that is not wound around histone proteins and floats free in the cytoplasm as a loop.
• What additional structures can some prokaryotic cells have?

  Some prokaryotic cells can have a protective waxy capsule, small loops of DNA called plasmids, flagella, and pili.
• What is the function of flagella in prokaryotic cells?

  Flagella are long whip-like projections that enable prokaryotic cells to move.
• How do the structures of prokaryotic flagella differ from eukaryotic undulipodia?

  The structure of prokaryotic flagella differs from that of eukaryotic undulipodia.
• What is the role of pili in prokaryotic cells?

  Pili are smaller hair-like projections that enable bacteria to adhere to host cells or to each other and allow the passage of plasmid DNA from one cell to another.
• How do prokaryotic cells divide?

  By binary fission
• Why can't prokaryotic cells carry out mitosis?

  Because they do not have linear chromosomes
• What happens to prokaryotic DNA before cell division?

  It is copied
• What does each new prokaryotic cell receive after division?

  The large loop of DNA and any smaller plasmids
• What are the key characteristics of prokaryotic cell division?

  • Division occurs by binary fission
  • No linear chromosomes present
  • DNA is copied before division
  • Each new cell receives a large loop of DNA and plasmids