How is the prokaryotic cell structure different from that of the eukaryotic cell?

Question

Accepted 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

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

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