Prokaryotes vs Eukaryotes Cells

Cells: The Basic Units of Life

• All living things are composed of cells, including animals, plants, and bacteria.
• There are two main types of cells: prokaryotes and eukaryotes.

Prokaryotes vs Eukaryotes

• Prokaryotes lack a nucleus and membrane-bound organelles, have a simpler structure, and include bacteria and archaea.
• Eukaryotes have a nucleus and membrane-bound organelles, are larger, and have a more complex cell structure, including plants, animals, and fungi.

Similarities between Eukaryotic and Prokaryotic Cells

• Both have a cell membrane (plasma membrane) made of a phospholipid bilayer with proteins, cholesterol, and carbohydrates.
• Both have genetic material (DNA), which is a double helix made of two complementary strands of nucleotides.
• Both have ribosomes, which are made of ribonucleotides and protein, and serve the purpose of reading mRNA to make protein.
• Both have cytoplasm, a thick fluid composed of water, salts, sugars, proteins, and monomers for metabolism.

Differences between Eukaryotic and Prokaryotic Cells

Cell Size and Structure

• Prokaryotes are much smaller (0.1-5 micrometers in diameter) and have a simpler cell structure.
• Eukaryotes are larger (10-100 micrometers on average) and have a more complex cell structure.

Cell Arrangement

• Prokaryotes are almost always single-celled organisms, including bacteria and archaea, and may form multicellular clusters called biofilms.
• Eukaryotes can form single-celled or multicellular organisms, including plants, animals, and fungi.

Nucleus and Organelles

• Eukaryotes have a true membrane-bound nucleus that regulates transport and keeps DNA safe.
• Prokaryotes have a nucleoid region without a membrane to protect the DNA.
• Eukaryotes have membrane-bound organelles (e.g., endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus, lysosomes, mitochondria) that are separated from the cell interior.

DNA Structure

• Prokaryotes have a single circular chromosome with genes grouped into operons for easy transcription.
• Eukaryotes have linear chromosomes with many more genes, no operons, and post-transcriptional processing.

Ribosome Size

• Prokaryotes have smaller 70S ribosomes (50S and 30S subunits).
• Eukaryotes have larger 80S ribosomes (60S and 40S subunits).

Cytoskeleton

• Both have a cytoskeleton, but prokaryotes have different proteins (e.g., FtsZ, actin-related proteins MreB/Mbl).
• Eukaryotes have three components (actin, intermediate filaments, and microtubules).

Reproduction

• Prokaryotes reproduce asexually by binary fission.
• Eukaryotes reproduce sexually, forming gametes that fuse to create a new organism.

Cell Division

• Prokaryotes reproduce by binary fission.
• Eukaryotic cell division is more complex, involving mitosis to ensure proper chromosome distribution.