Eukaryotes and Prokaryotes

• Prokaryotes vs Eukaryotes 


  -Features common to these types of cells are:

  • A plasma membrane
  • Cytoplasm
  • DNA
  • Ribosomes(ribosomes are 70S in prokaryotes)
• Prokaryotes


  They do not have any membrane-bound organelles
• Dna in Prokaryotes


  • Prokaryotic DNA is found as a circular molecule in the cytoplasm
  • Some prokaryotes have smaller loops of DNA called plasmids that are not part of the main circular DNA molecule
  • Bacteria can exchange plasmids with other bacteria, sometimes receiving beneficial new genes that the recipient can add to their chromosomal DNA
  • Antibiotic resistance is one trait that often spreads through bacterial colony through plasmid exchange
• Algal cells 


  • Algal cells and plant cells have an identical set of organelles
• Fungal cells


  • There are no chloroplasts in fungal cells
  • The cell walls of fungal cells are made from chitin instead of cellulose
  • Fungal cells are similar to plant cells
• Flagella (Prokaryotic cells)

  • Are tail-liked and used for locomotion(movement from one place to another)
  • Some prokaryotes have none and others have more than one
• Pili(Prokaryotic cells)

  • Are used to exchange genetic material during a type of reproduction called conjugation
• Fimbriae (Prokaryotic cells)

  • Are used by bacteria to attach to a host cell
• Difference


  • Prokaryotes are smaller than eukaryotes. Prokaryotes have no membrane-bound organelles such as mitochondria , nucleus or endoplasmic reticulum. Both have nuclear material in the form of DNA. However, in prokaryotes the DNA is in a single circular chromosome whereas in eukaryotes the DNA is in a membrane-bound nucleus. Prokaryotes have a cell wall made of peptidoglycan. Some types of eukaryotes also have cell walls (plants) but it is made of cellulose. Some prokaryotes have a capsule surrounding the cell wall.