how is the prokaryotic cell different from a Eukaryotic cell

Question

Mohit Singh · Accepted Answer

Dear student,

Characteristics

Prokaryote

Eukaryote

Size of the
cell

Small in
size

Vary in size, generally
larger than prokaryotes

Nucleus

Nucleus with the nuclear
membrane is absent

A well-defined nucleus with
a nuclear membrane is present

Membrane-enclosed
organelles

Organelles like
mitochondria and plastids, which have a membrane around them are
absent

Membrane-enclosed
organelles like mitochondria and plastids are
present

Cell
wall

The cell wall is usually
present in prokaryotes and is composed of
peptidoglycan

The cell wall is usually
present in plant cells and is composed of
cellulose

Genetic
material

Present as
nucleoid

Present inside the
nucleus

Regards

Prokaryotic cell	Eukaryotic cell
1. They are generally small in size (1-10 micrometer).	1. Eukaryotic cells are comparatively larger in size.
2. Nuclear matter is undefined without any nuclear membrane and is called as nucleoid.	2. A true nucleus with nuclear membrane is present.
3. Single chromosome is present as genetic material.	3. More than one chromosome is present.
4. It lacks any membrane bound organelles, i.e., ER, Golgi body, mitochondria etc, are absent.	4. It is characterized by presence of membrane bound organelles.
5. 70S type ribosome is present.	5. 80S type ribosome is present.
6. Cell division occurs by fission, budding or fragmentation.	6. It exhibits mitosis and meiosis as cell division processes.

Characteristics	Prokaryote	Eukaryote
Size of the cell	Small in size	Vary in size, generally larger than prokaryotes
Nucleus	Nucleus with the nuclear membrane is absent	A well-defined nucleus with a nuclear membrane is present
Membrane-enclosed organelles	Organelles like mitochondria and plastids, which have a membrane around them are absent	Membrane-enclosed organelles like mitochondria and plastids are present
Cell wall	The cell wall is usually present in prokaryotes and is composed of peptidoglycan	The cell wall is usually present in plant cells and is composed of cellulose
Genetic material	Present as nucleoid	Present inside the nucleus

Differences between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cell