Prokaryotic And Eukaryotic Cells

Prokaryotes

• Typically about 0.2-20 micrometres in diameter

Eukaryotes

• Typically 10-100 micrometres in diameter

Prokaryotes

• There is no nuclear membrane or nucleoli. 
• There is a nucleoid, an irregularly-shaped region with nuclear material, and where the genetic material is localised

Eukaryotes

• There is a true nucleus, consisting of a nuclear membrane and nucleoli

Prokaryotes

• Absent

Eukaryotes

• Present

Prokaryotes

• The flagella of prokaryotes consist of two building blocks

Eukaryotes

• The flagella of eukaryotes are complex, consisting of multiple microtubules 

Prokaryotes

•  This is present as a capsule, or slime layer

Eukaryotes

•  This is present in some cells that lack a cell wall

Prokaryotes

• A cell wall is usually present
• The cell wall is chemically complex; a typical bacterial wall includes peptidoglycan

Eukaryotes

• When a cell wall is present, it is chemically simple 

Prokaryotes

• Contains no carbohydrates, and a general lack of sterols

Eukaryotes

•  Sterols and carbohydrates that serve as receptors are present 

Prokaryotes

• No cytoskeleton or cytoplasmic streaming

Eukaryotes

• Has a cytoskleton and cytoplasmic streaming 

Prokaryotes

• Smaller (70S)

Eukaryotes

• Larger in size (80S)
• Smaller in organelles (70S) 

Prokaryotes

• Single circular chromosome
• Lacks histones

Eukaryotes

• Multiple linear chromosomes with histones 

Prokaryotes

• No meiosis
• Only DNA fragments are transferred (conjugation)

Eukaryotes

• Involves meiosis