DNA & Polypeptide Synthesis

• Prokaryotes

  • Lack distinct nucleus and no membrane enclosed organelles
  • Contain free floating ribosomes
  • Small size (1-10µm)
  • Unicellular
• Eukaryotes

  • Distinct nucleus and contain membrane enclosed organelles
  • Contain ribosomes
  • Larger size (10-100µm)
  • Unicellular or Multicellular
• DNA in Prokaryotes


  • Single circular chromosome and plasmids
  • Contains no histone proteins
  • Found in the cytoplasm
  • Does not contain introns
• DNA in Eukaryotes

  • Linear
  • Associated with histones
  • Found in the nucleus
  • Contains introns