Differences between Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic cells

Features Prokaryotic Eukaryotic

Size 0.5-3um 2-100um

Mostly unicellular (some cyanobacteria may

Cell type Mostly multicellular
be multicellular).

True nucleus is absent. Nucleus lack nuclear Nuclear membrane and nucleolus are present. A
Nucleus membrane and nucleolus. Such nucleus is well-defined nucleus is present enclosed within nuclear
called nucleoid. memebrane.

Chromosome Single circular chromosome; lacks histones Multiple linear with histones

Genes Expressed in groups called operons. Expressed individually.

Zygote Merozygotic (partially diploid). Diploid.

 Cell division Binary fission of budding Involves mitosis.

Sexual No meiosis. Transfer of DNA only.

Involves meiosis.
reproduction (conjugation)

Permeability of
nuclear Absent. Selective.
membrane

Cytoplasmic
Absent Present
streaming

Cytoskeleton Absent Present

Pinocytosis Absent Present

Gas vacuoles Can be present Absent

Mesosome Present. Performs the function of Golgi Absent

bodies and mitochondria and also help in the
 separation of chromosome during cell
division.

Larger size 80s, found on membranes as in

Smaller size 70S, distributed in the
Ribosome endoplasmic reticulum; 70s present in organelles
cytoplasm.
such as chloroplast and mitochondria.

Mitochondria Absent Present

Chloroplast Absent Present

Endoplasmic
Absent Present
Reticulum

Golgi structure Absent Present

Membrane
Absent Present
bound vacuoles
Lysosomes and
Absent Present
peroxisomes

Microtubules Absent or rare Present

Simple structure composed of protein, Complex with 9+2 structure of tubulin and other
Flagella
flagellin. protein.

Generally lack sterol and no carbohydrate.

Plasma Sterol and carbohydrate is present that serve as
membrane Contain part of respiration and in some receptors.
photosynthetic machinery. Do not carry out respiration and photosynthesis.

Glycocalyx Present as a capsule or slime layer. Present in some cells that lack cell wall.

Usually present. Chemically complex

Usually cell wall absent, if present (plant cells
(typical bacterial cell wall includes
Cell wall and fungus) which comprises of cellulose
peptidoglycan or mucopeptide
(polysaccharide) and chitin
(polysaccharide).

Extrachromoso Present. Nonessential prokaryotic genes are

Absent
mal plasmid encoded on extra chromosomal plasmid.
 All aerobic, but some facultative anaerobes by
Respiration Many strict anaerobes.
secondary modification.

Photosynthetic Bound to plasma membrane as composite

Enzymes packed in plastids bound by membrane.
enzymes chromatophores.

Nitrogen
Some possess this ability. None possess this ability.
fixation

Metabolic
Wide variation Glycolysis, electron transport chain, Krebs cycle.
mechanism

Duration of cell
Short, takes 20-60 minutes to complete. Long, takes 12-24 hours to complete.
cycle

Usually present; chemically complex (typical

Cell wall When present, chemically simple
bacterial cell wall includes peptidoglycan)

Plasma Sterols and carbohydrates that serve as receptors

No carbohydrates and generally lacks sterols
membrane present

Cytoplasm
No cytosketeton or cytoplasmic streaming Cytoskeleton; cytoplasmic streaming

Shape of DNA
Circular, double stranded Linear, double-stranded DNA.
Lysosomes and
Absent Present
Peroxisomes

Chloroplast (Absent) scattered in the cytoplasm. Present in plants, algae.

Transcription Transcription occurs in nucleus and translation in

Occurs together.
and Translation cytosol.

Organelles are not membrane bound, if Organelles are membrane bound and are specific in
Organelles
present any. function.

Replication Single origin of replication. Multiple origins of replication.

Number of
Only one (not true called as a plasmid). More than one.
Chromosomes

Examples Archaea, Bacteria. Plants and Animals.