What are the differences between eukaryotic DNA and prokaryotic DNA?

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Accepted Answer

Basis of differentiation

Eukaryotic DNA

Prokaryotic DNA

Location

Eukaryotic DNA is found in the nucleus of the cell, inside the chloroplast and mitochondria

Prokaryotic DNA is found in the cytoplasm of circular plasmids and prokaryotic
 cells (not found in organelles)

Copies of genome

Contains of more than one copy of the genome

Consists one copy of the genome

Shape

Linear shaped and double stranded, with two ends

Occurs as circular shaped chromosomes

Approximate quantity of genes contained

Contains a large number of genes

Contains a small number of genes

Presence of introns

Introns are present

Introns are not present

Speed of DNA replication

DNA replication is slow, around 100 nucleotides per second

DNA replication is rapid, around 2000 nucleotides are added per second

Packaging

Eukaryotic DNA forms nucleosomes and and shows higher order packaging

Prokaryotic DNA forms loop-like structures by wrapping around histone-like protein molecules

Presence of transposons

Does not consist of transposons

Consists of transpons

Size

Size of eukaryotic DNA is typically more than 1 pg

Size of prokaryotic DNA is typically less than 0.1 pg

Origin of replication

Chromosomes contain many origins of replications (over 1000)

Chromosome has a single origin of replication

DNA polymerases

Eukaryotic DNA replication is carried out by DNA polymerase  α, β, γ, δ, and ε

Is carried out by DNA polymerase I, II, and III

End product of replication

End of replication produces two circular chromosomes

End of replication produces two sister chromatids

Basis of differentiation	Eukaryotic DNA	Prokaryotic DNA
Location	Eukaryotic DNA is found in the nucleus of the cell, inside the chloroplast and mitochondria	Prokaryotic DNA is found in the cytoplasm of circular plasmids and prokaryotic cells (not found in organelles)
Copies of genome	Contains of more than one copy of the genome	Consists one copy of the genome
Shape	Linear shaped and double stranded, with two ends	Occurs as circular shaped chromosomes
Approximate quantity of genes contained	Contains a large number of genes	Contains a small number of genes
Presence of introns	Introns are present	Introns are not present
Speed of DNA replication	DNA replication is slow, around 100 nucleotides per second	DNA replication is rapid, around 2000 nucleotides are added per second
Packaging	Eukaryotic DNA forms nucleosomes and and shows higher order packaging	Prokaryotic DNA forms loop-like structures by wrapping around histone-like protein molecules
Presence of transposons	Does not consist of transposons	Consists of transpons
Size	Size of eukaryotic DNA is typically more than 1 pg	Size of prokaryotic DNA is typically less than 0.1 pg
Origin of replication	Chromosomes contain many origins of replications (over 1000)	Chromosome has a single origin of replication
DNA polymerases	Eukaryotic DNA replication is carried out by DNA polymerase α, β, γ, δ, and ε	Is carried out by DNA polymerase I, II, and III
End product of replication	End of replication produces two circular chromosomes	End of replication produces two sister chromatids

Basis of differentiation

Eukaryotic DNA

Prokaryotic DNA

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