How is the prokaryotic cell structure different from that of the eukaryotic cell?
Posted December 10, 2022
Answer
There are several major differences between the structures of the prokaryotic cell from that of the eukaryotic cell.
Basis of differentiation | Prokaryotic cell structure | Eukaryotic cell structure |
Cell type | Unicellular | Mostly multicellular with the exception of yeasts and algae which are unicellular |
Size | Smaller - size range from 0.1 μm - 5 μm | Larger – size ranges from 10 μm -100 μm |
Cell wall | Usually present, chemically complex in nature and forms the outermost layer of the cell | Only present in plant cells as the outermost layer, is chemically simple in nature – absent in animal cells |
Capsule | An outer protective covering found only in the bacterial cells, in addition to the cell wall | Absent |
Cell membrane | Surrounds the cytoplasm and regulates the entry and exit of substances in the cells | Surrounds the cytoplasm, separating the cell from the outside environment and aiding in the exchange of substances in and out of the cell. |
Ribosomes | Smaller in size and spherical in shape | Comparatively larger in size and linear in shape |
Nucleus | Absent – has a nucleoid instead, which is simply a central region of the cell that contains its DNA | Has a true, membrane-bound nucleus |
DNA form | Single DNA in circular arrangement | DNA in linear arrangement |
Mitochondria | Absent | Present |
Endoplasmic Reticulum | Absent | Present |
Plasmids | Present | Very rarely found |
Lysosomes and centrosomes | Absent | Present |
Cytoplasm | Present, but cell organelles absent | Present, cell organelles present |
Flagella | Smaller in size | Larger in size |
Additional resources
Eukaryotic vs. prokaryotic chemosensory systems
Cell Navigator® Live Cell Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER) Staining Kit *Blue Fluorescence*