Prokaryotic Cell vs. Eukaryotic Cell

Main Difference

The main difference between Prokaryotic Cell and Eukaryotic Cell is that Prokaryotic Cell is a primitive type of cell without membrane-bounded organelles, whereas Eukaryotic Cell is an advanced cell with membrane-bounded organelles.

Difference Between Prokaryotic Cell and Eukaryotic Cell

Comparison Chart

Prokaryotic Cell vs. Eukaryotic Cell

All the living organisms in the world are made up of cell. Robert Hook was the first who discovered the cell in 1665. When different cells were checked by scientists under the electron microscope, they found that all the cells are not similar internally. So, based on the internal structure, cells are divided into two main types, i.e., prokaryotic cell, and the eukaryotic cell.

A prokaryotic cell is the primitive type of cell that was evolved about 3.8 billion years ago. On the other hand, the eukaryotic cell is an advanced cell that was evolved about 2.7 billion years ago from a prokaryotic cell. Prokaryotic organisms are always unicellular, i.e., made up of single cell only while, eukaryotic organisms may be unicellular or multicellular, i.e., made up of many cells.

A prokaryotic cell is a small-sized cell of 1-10um. On the other side, the eukaryotic cell is comparatively large with size10-100um. A prokaryotic cell is a simple cell without membrane-bounded organelles like Golgi apparatus, mitochondria, etc. On the flip side, a eukaryotic cell has all membrane-bounded organelles like chloroplast, Golgi apparatus, lysosomes, peroxisomes, and mitochondria, etc.

A prokaryotic cell is without a nucleus, and genetic material is embedded simply in the cytoplasm in the center of the cell, whereas, a eukaryotic cell has a proper nucleus with genetic material embedded in it. DNA material is circular in the prokaryotic cell, but it is linear in the eukaryotic cell.

Prokaryotic cells reproduce asexually. On the other side, eukaryotes may reproduce by both sexual and asexual means. Examples of the prokaryotic cell are bacteria and archaea etc. while the examples of a eukaryotic cell are plants and animals etc.

What is the Prokaryotic Cell?

Life was originated about 3.8 billion years ago and about 750 million years after the formation of this earth. The first cell that was originated was prokaryotic. So, it is a simple and primitive cell without well-developed organelles. The word prokaryote was derived from a Greek word where ‘Pro’ means ‘before’ and ‘karyon’ means ‘nucleus.’ This name was given to this type of cell because it does not have a true nucleus. Instead, they have a nucleoid region that is irregularly-shaped and contains the DNA of the cell and is without a nuclear envelope. Prokaryotes has the only asexual mode of reproduction.

Structure

• Cell Wall that provides support, rigidity, and shape to the cell. It is composed of peptidoglycan or mucopeptide (polysaccharide).
• The Cell Membrane surrounds cytoplasm and controls the movement of material across the cell.
• Nucleoid represents the position of chromatin material in the cell.
• Ribosomes play an important role in protein synthesis and are of small size, i.e., the 70S.
• Flagellum helps in the movement of the cell.
• Pilus is a hair-like structure that is present on the surface of the cell and helps in the transfer of genetic material between different cells.
• Mesosomes is the outgrowth of the cell membrane that plays its role in cellular respiration.
• Glycocalyx acts as receptors and also protect the cell wall.
• Granules or Inclusions play an important role in the storage of material like proteins, carbohydrates, and fats, etc.
• Endospore helps in harsh conditions.
• Fimbriae are the small hair-like structure that helps in attachment during mating.

Examples

Examples of the prokaryotic cell are bacteria and archaea etc. They play an important role in many industries like fermentation etc.

What is a Eukaryotic Cell?

The eukaryotic cell was evolved from prokaryotic cell about 2.7 billion years ago. It is an advanced type of cell with well developed, membrane-bounded organelles. The word ‘Eukaryote’ was derived from a Greek word where ‘Eu’ means ‘true,’ and ‘karyon’ means nucleus because it has a true membrane-bounded nucleus and genetic material is embedded in it. Eukaryotes exhibit both sexual and asexual mode of reproduction.

Structure

• Cell Wall provides support, shape, and rigidity to the cell. Its composition varies from organism to organism and can be made up of cellulose, chitin, pectin, or peptidoglycan, etc.
• Cell Membrane that surrounds the cytoplasm and controls the movement of the cell.
• The Nucleus stores genetic material. Chromosomes are embedded in it. It is two layers that control the movement of material across it.
• The Cytoplasm is the part where all other organelles are located.
• Mitochondria is the powerhouse of the cell. It plays a role in the formation of ATP.
• The Chloroplast is present in plants and algae. It plays an important role in the transformation of light energy into chemical energy through the process of photosynthesis.
• Golgi Apparatus has many disc-shaped sacs known as cisternae that play a role in the packing and transport of material.
• Endoplasmic Reticulum has channels like structure and transports the material across the cell-like lipids, proteins, and carbohydrates, etc. It is divided into two types, i.e., Rough endoplasmic reticulum and smooth endoplasmic reticulum. Rough endoplasmic reticulum also plays its role in protein synthesis due to the presence of ribosomes on it.
• Ribosomes are of large size, i.e., the 80S and play a role in protein synthesis.
• The Cytoskeleton is made up by microtubules and microfilaments. It provides support to the cell.
• Lysosomes and Peroxisomes are vesicles that are also present in the cytoplasm of eukaryotes.
• Appendages are cilia and flagella that help in locomotion. Cilia are small in size than flagella.
• The Glycocalyx is an outermost layer of polysaccharides that helps in receiving signals and protects the cell.

Examples

Examples of a eukaryotic cell are plants, animals and fungi, etc. The eukaryotic organism may be unicellular or multicellular.

Conclusion

Above discussion summarizes that prokaryotic cell is a small primitive type of cell that is without any well-developed membrane-bounded organelle and true nucleus. On the other side, the eukaryotic cell is a large and advanced type of cell that has a true nucleus, and well-developed membrane-bounded organelles.