PROKARYOTIC & EUKARYOTIC

CELLS
 As you have already learned, everything is made up
of living cells.
 And the cells themselves are made up of many
different parts .
 There are many different cells that do many different
things, but all of these cells fall into one of the two
main categories:
 Prokaryotic cells
&
 Eukaryotic cells
 WHAT THE WORDS
MEAN

Prokaryotes Eukaryotes

 Pro = before  Eu = true

 Karyose = kernel, which  Karyose = kernel, the

represents the nucleus nucleus

 So prokaryotes occurred  So eukaryotes are the cells

before cells with a nucleus with a true nucleus

 Ex. Bacteria  Ex. Found in animals,

plants, and fungi (yeast)
 WHAT THEY HAVE IN
COMMON
 DNA
 Cell (plasma) membrane
 Ribosomes
 Simple in Prokaryotic, complex in Eukaryotic
 Cytoplasm
 Allow the flow of nutrients and wastes to enter and leave the cell
 Have similar metabolic ( life processes) like photosynthesis and
respiration
 Require a supply of energy
 Made from the same basic chemicals
 Carbohydrates, proteins, nucleic acid, fats, minerals, and
vitamins
 DIFFERENCES

 That’s what they have in common, but there are

significant differences too.
 The two main ones are age and structure.
 AGE DIFFERENCES
 Scientists believe that prokaryotic cells (in the form of
bacteria) were the first life forms on earth. They are
considered “primative” and originated 3.5 billion years
ago. That is 2 billion years before eukaryotic cells and
billions of years before our earliest ancestor, the
hominids.
 4.6 billion years ago – Earth was formed
 3.5 billion years ago – the first life arose: prokaryotic
bacteria
 1.5 billion years ago – eukaryotic cells arose
 500 million years ago – multi-celled eukaryotes arose
 3 million years ago – our earliest ancestor, the hominids,
 STRUCTURAL
DIFFERENCES
 Eukaryotic cells contain two important things that
prokaryotic cells do not:
 A nucleus
 Membrane bound organelles
 DNA

 Although both contain DNA:

 The DNA in eukaryotic cells in in the membrane
bound nucleus
 The DNA in prokaryotic cells floats around in the
cell in what we call a
 Nucleoid – not a real structure, just a word to
describe the inside of the cell where the nuclear
material sits
 ORGANELLES

 The organelles in eukaryotic

cells allow them to perform
more complex functions than
prokaryotic cells.
 Prokaryotic cells do not have
organelles like eukaryotic
cells.
 Both have ribosomes, but
they are much more complex
in Eukaryotic cells.
CHLOROPLASTS AND
MITOCHONDRIA

 Evidence suggests that chloroplasts and

mitochondria were once bacteria that
developed a symbiotic relationship with
cells that have a nucleus
 Chloroplasts and mitochondria have
their own DNA that is not a part of the
cells.
 Yes, plants have both chloroplasts and
mitochondria.
 SIZE
 Eukaryotic cells are about 10 times larger than
prokaryotic cells.
 CELL WALL

Both have a cell wall, but they are made up of

different substances. Well, eukaryotic plant cells
do.
 FLAGELLA & CILIA
 Flagella and cilia are the structures that help cells
move.
 Eukaryotic flagella are more complex than
prokaryotic flagella.
 CHECK FOR
UNDERSTANDING
Eukaryotic and Prokaryotic Cell Structure
Typical Animal
Cell Structure Prokaryotic Cell
Eukaryotic Cell
Cell Membrane Yes Yes
Cell Wall Yes No
Cilia or Flagella Yes, simple Yes, complex

Endoplasmic Reticulum No Yes

Golgi Complex No Yes

Lysosomes No Yes
Mitochondria No Yes
Nucleus No Yes
Ribosomes Yes, simple Yes, complex
 NEW DISCOVERIES

 Until recently, it was thought that only eukaryotic

cells existed in multi-celled groups like in organs
and tissue. Recent discoveries suggest that some
prokaryotic cells do too.
 This is just one more example of how new
discoveries are always changing what we know –
or think we know.
 But that is what makes science so exciting!
 http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/eng/
bonnie_bassler_on_how_bacteria_communicate.h
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