Prokaryotic cells

• Prokaryotes are single celled organisms without a nucleus and do not have membrane bound organelles.
• Prokaryotes contain a plasma membrane, cytoplasm, circular DNA, ribosome and a cell wall.
• Some prokaryotes additionally can have a flagellum, capsule, plasmids, pili and mesosomes.
• Prokaryotic cell walls are made of peptidoglycan cross links. They are stiff maintaining the cell's shape, protecting interior, and preventing cell bursting from water.
• Prokaryotic DNA is often only one free floating molecule (chromosome) which is supercoiled to make it compact.
• Prokaryotic ribosomes are smaller than eukaryotic. Eukaryotic ribosomes are 80s whereas eukaryotic are 70s.
• Pilli act as an attachment to other cells/surfaces and are involved in sexual reproduction.
• Plasmids are small circles of DNA. A capsule acts as additional protection to the cell.
• The flagellum is like a long tail and acts as a propeller and is used for movement/locomotion.