Comparison of Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic Cells PDF

# Comparison between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells ## Characteristics shared by both prokaryotes and eukaryotes: * **Similar cell membrane structure** * **Genetic information stored in DNA and encoded by the same genetic code** * **Similar mechanisms for transcription and translation of...

# Comparison between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells ## Characteristics shared by both prokaryotes and eukaryotes: * **Similar cell membrane structure** * **Genetic information stored in DNA and encoded by the same genetic code** * **Similar mechanisms for transcription and translation of genetic information** * **Similar metabolic pathways** (e.g., glycolysis and citric acid cycle) * **Similar ATP production mechanism** (in the cell membrane of prokaryotes, mitochondria in eukaryotes). * **Similar mechanism for photosynthesis** (cyanobacteria similar to plants) * **Similar mechanism for synthesizing and inserting membrane proteins** * **Similar proteasome structure** (protein digestion) ## Features present in eukaryotes, absent from prokaryotes: * **Presence of nucleus and cytoplasm, separated by a nuclear envelope** * **Complex chromosome structure**, with DNA and associated proteins, able to condense into mitotic structures. * **Complex membrane-bound organelles** such as the endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus, lysosomes, endosomes, peroxisomes, and glyoxysomes. * **Specialized organelles for aerobic respiration (mitochondria) and photosynthesis (chloroplasts)** * **Complex cytoskeleton** composed of actin filaments, intermediate filaments, and microtubules * **Associated motor proteins** * **Complex flagella and cilia** * **Ability to phagocytose** (engulfing solid material by invaginating cell membrane) * **Cell walls containing cellulose in plants** * **Cell division using microtubule spindle to separate chromosomes** * **Diploid state**, with two copies of genes per cell * **Distinct RNA polymerases for distinct RNA synthesis** * **Sexual reproduction, requiring meiosis and fertilization.** ## Differences in DNA content and structure: * **Prokaryotes have smaller amounts of DNA.** * **Prokaryotes have a single circular chromosome.** * **Eukaryotes contain much more information than prokaryotes.** * **Eukaryotes have linear chromosomes.** * **Eukaryotic DNA is associated with proteins to form chromatin.** ## Differences in cytoplasm: * **Eukaryotic cytoplasm contains a vast diversity of structures.** * **Eukaryotes contain a system of interconnected internal membranes, including vesicles, that allow for transport.** * **Prokaryotes contain few membrane-bound organelles.** They rely on diffusion for transport. * **Eukaryotes contain a cytoskeleton.** * **Prokaryotes have a simpler cytoskeleton.** ## Additional differences: * **Eucaryotic cells grow much larger than prokaryotic cells.** * **Eukaryotic division involves a complex process called mitosis.** This includes the condensation of chromosomes into compact structures. * **Prokaryotic cells are simpler in structure and function.** ## **Figure explanations** * **Figure 1-10** - an electron micrograph showing the complex structure of a eukaryote. * **Figure 1-11** - an electron micrograph showing the cytoplasm near the edge of a eukaryotic cell. The image shows the cytoskeleton and ribosomes. * **Figure 1-15** - shows the complex photosynthetic membranes of cyanobacteria.