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Questions and Answers
What is a defining feature of prokaryotic cells?
Which of the following organisms is an example of a eukaryotic cell?
What size range do prokaryotic cells typically fall into?
Which of the following structures is absent in prokaryotic cells?
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Which statement correctly describes the structure of eukaryotic cells?
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Which statement describes a major difference between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells?
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What type of genetic material is found in eukaryotic cells?
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Which of the following best describes the DNA structure found in prokaryotic cells?
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Which structures are present in eukaryotic cells but absent in prokaryotic cells?
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Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of prokaryotic cells?
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Which of the following organisms is NOT classified as a prokaryote?
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How does the metabolism of prokaryotic cells generally differ from that of eukaryotic cells?
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What is a distinguishing feature of eukaryotic cells compared to prokaryotic cells?
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In terms of size, how do eukaryotic cells generally compare to prokaryotic cells?
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Which of the following correctly describes the genetic material in eukaryotic cells?
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Which of the following structures is characteristic of eukaryotic cells?
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What type of reproduction do prokaryotic cells primarily use?
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In terms of cell wall composition, what distinguishes plant cells from prokaryotic cells?
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Which of the following best describes the size comparison between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells?
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Which of the following correctly distinguishes the means of reproduction in eukaryotic cells?
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Which statement about the cell membrane of prokaryotic cells is accurate?
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Which of the following is true about the cell structure of eukaryotic organisms?
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Study Notes
Prokaryotic Cells
- Definition: Simple, unicellular organisms without a nucleus or membrane-bound organelles.
- Examples: Bacteria and Archaea.
- Size: Generally smaller (0.1 - 5.0 µm in diameter).
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Genetic Material:
- Circular DNA located in the nucleoid region.
- No histones (in bacteria) or minimal histones (in archaea).
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Cell Structure:
- Peptidoglycan cell wall (in bacteria).
- Plasma membrane.
- Ribosomes (70S).
- Reproduction: Asexual reproduction predominantly through binary fission.
- Metabolism: Diverse metabolic pathways; can be autotrophic or heterotrophic.
Eukaryotic Cells
- Definition: Complex cells with a nucleus and membrane-bound organelles.
- Examples: Animals, plants, fungi, and protists.
- Size: Generally larger (10 - 100 µm in diameter).
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Genetic Material:
- Linear DNA organized into chromosomes.
- Associated with histone proteins.
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Cell Structure:
- Organelles such as mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus, and lysosomes.
- Cell wall (in plants and fungi, but not in animals).
- Ribosomes (80S).
- Reproduction: Can reproduce asexually (mitosis) or sexually (meiosis).
- Metabolism: More complex; includes aerobic and anaerobic respiration, photosynthesis (in plants).
Key Differences
- Nucleus: Absent in prokaryotes, present in eukaryotes.
- Size: Prokaryotes are smaller than eukaryotes.
- Structure: Prokaryotes lack membrane-bound organelles; eukaryotes have them.
- DNA Organization: Prokaryotic DNA is circular; eukaryotic DNA is linear and associated with histones.
- Ribosome Size: Prokaryotic ribosomes are smaller (70S); eukaryotic ribosomes are larger (80S).
Summary
Prokaryotic cells represent simpler, unicellular life forms with significant metabolic and structural diversity, while eukaryotic cells are more complex, forming the basis for multicellular life with specialized functions. Understanding these fundamental differences is crucial for comprehending biological processes and the evolution of life.
Prokaryotic Cells
- Simple cells lacking a nucleus and membrane-bound organelles
- Found in bacteria and archaea
- Typically smaller than eukaryotic cells (0.1 - 5.0 µm)
- Contain circular DNA located in the nucleoid region, not associated with histones (except minimally in archaea)
- Have a peptidoglycan cell wall (in bacteria) and a plasma membrane
- Utilize ribosomes (70S) for protein synthesis
- Reproduce primarily asexually through binary fission
- Exhibit diverse metabolic pathways, capable of being autotrophic or heterotrophic
Eukaryotic Cells
- Complex cells possessing a nucleus and membrane-bound organelles
- Include animals, plants, fungi, and protists
- Generally larger than prokaryotes (10 - 100 µm)
- Have linear DNA organized into chromosomes associated with histone proteins
- Characterized by specialized organelles like mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus, and lysosomes
- Some have a cell wall (plants and fungi, but not animals)
- Utilize larger ribosomes (80S) for protein synthesis
- Reproduce both asexually (mitosis) and sexually (meiosis)
- Demonstrate more complex metabolic processes, including aerobic and anaerobic respiration, and photosynthesis (in plants)
Key Differences
- Nucleus: Prokaryotes lack a nucleus, while eukaryotes have one
- Size: Prokaryotes are significantly smaller than eukaryotes
- Structure: Prokaryotes lack membrane-bound organelles; eukaryotes possess them
- DNA Organization: Prokaryotic DNA is circular; eukaryotic DNA is linear and associated with histones
- Ribosome Size: Prokaryotes have smaller ribosomes (70S); eukaryotes have larger ribosomes (80S)
Prokaryotic Cells
- Single-celled organisms without a nucleus or membrane-bound organelles
- Typically smaller than eukaryotic cells, ranging from 0.1 to 5.0 micrometers in size
- Examples include bacteria and archaea
- Contain a cell wall, often composed of peptidoglycan in bacteria
- Possess a plasma membrane, cytoplasm with ribosomes and genetic material
- Their DNA is circular and located within a region called the nucleoid
- Some prokaryotic cells have plasmids, which are small circular DNA molecules
- May have flagella for movement
- Reproduce asexually through binary fission
- Can be autotrophic (produce their own food) or heterotrophic (consume organic matter)
Eukaryotic Cells
- Organisms with complex cells containing a nucleus and membrane-bound organelles
- Generally larger than prokaryotic cells, ranging from 10 to 100 micrometers in size
- Include animals, plants, fungi, and protists
- Possess a plasma membrane, a nucleus containing linear DNA organized into chromosomes
- Have specialized organelles like mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus, lysosomes, and in plants, chloroplasts
- A cytoskeleton provides structure and transportation within the cell
- Can reproduce both asexually (mitosis) and sexually (meiosis)
- Typically heterotrophic, but plants are autotrophic through photosynthesis
Key Differences
- Nucleus: Only eukaryotic cells have a nucleus, which contains their genetic material
- Organelles: Membrane-bound organelles are characteristic of eukaryotic cells but absent in prokaryotic cells
- DNA Structure: Prokaryotic DNA is circular, while eukaryotic DNA is linear and organized into chromosomes
- Size: Prokaryotic cells are generally smaller than eukaryotic cells
- Reproduction Method: Prokaryotes reproduce asexually through binary fission, while eukaryotes can reproduce both asexually (mitosis) and sexually (meiosis)
- Complexity: Eukaryotic cells are more complex and specialized than prokaryotic cells
Prokaryotic Cells
- Simple, single-celled organisms without a nucleus or membrane-bound organelles
- Generally smaller than eukaryotic cells, ranging from 0.1 to 5.0 micrometers in size
- Have circular DNA located in a nucleoid region
- May contain smaller, circular DNA molecules called plasmids
- Most have a rigid cell wall composed of peptidoglycan
- Have a cell membrane made of a phospholipid bilayer that controls substance entry and exit
- Ribosomes are smaller (70S) than those found in eukaryotic cells
- Reproduce asexually through binary fission
- Examples include bacteria and archaea
Eukaryotic Cells
- Complex cells with a true nucleus and membrane-bound organelles
- Generally larger than prokaryotic cells, ranging from 10 to 100 micrometers in size
- Have linear DNA organized into chromosomes within the nucleus
- Contain specialized structures called organelles, such as mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus, and lysosomes
- Cell walls are present in plants (cellulose) and fungi (chitin), but absent in animal cells
- Have a cell membrane made of a phospholipid bilayer with embedded proteins
- Ribosomes are larger (80S) than those found in prokaryotic cells
- Can reproduce both asexually (mitosis) and sexually (meiosis)
- Examples include animals, plants, fungi, and protists
Key Differences
- Nucleus: Prokaryotic cells lack a nucleus, while eukaryotic cells have a true nucleus enclosed by a nuclear membrane
- Size: Prokaryotic cells are smaller than eukaryotic cells
- Organelles: Prokaryotic cells lack membrane-bound organelles, while eukaryotic cells have various types of organelles
- Ribosomes: Prokaryotic cells have 70S ribosomes, while eukaryotic cells have 80S ribosomes
- Reproduction: Prokaryotic cells reproduce asexually through binary fission, while eukaryotic cells can reproduce asexually through mitosis and sexually through meiosis
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Description
This quiz explores the fundamental differences between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. It covers their definitions, examples, sizes, structures, genetic material, and reproduction methods. Test your understanding of these two essential cell types.
