3.2.1.2 Structure of prokaryotic cells and viruses.

• Prokaryotic cells are much smaller than eukaryotic cells.
• Many prokaryotic cells have one or more plasmids, a capsule surrounding the cell, and one or more flagella.
• Viruses are acellular and non-living and their structure includes genetic material enclosed within a protein coat called a capsid.
• The nucleic acids in viruses can be RNA or DNA.
• Pilus allow the transfer of genetic material between bacteria.
• flagellum is used for movement (locomotion)
• The cell wall in bacteria is made of murein.
• A capsid is a protein coat that encloses genetic material in viruses.
• Attachment proteins (glycoproteins) let viruses cling onto a suitable host cell.
• Binary fission

  1. DNA + plasmids replicate
  2. Cell elongates; DNA moves to opposite poles of cell
  3. Cytoplasm begins to divide; new cell walls begin to form
  4. Cytoplasm divides to produce 2 daughter cells, each containing an identical DNA loop but may contain a different number of plasmid copies
• Bacteria can reproduce by binary fission.
• Prokaryotes are unicellular organisms with no nucleus. They include bacteria and archaea.
• Prokaryotic cells have a cytoplasm that lacks membrane-bound organelles like nucleus and mitochondria.
• Prokaryotic cells have smaller ribosome than eukaryotic cells.