What are the differences between nucleus and nucleoid?

Question

Accepted Answer

Basis of differentiation

Nucleus

Nucleiod

Definition

Is a membrane-bound organelle found in the eukaryotic cell that contains most of the cell’s genetic material

Is a region within a prokaryotic cell that contains most or all of the  genetic material

Organization

Is well-organized, large, and takes up a large portion of the cell

Is poorly organized, small, and takes up a small portion of the cell

Shape

Is spherical in shape

Is an irregularly shaped area

Membrane

Is enclosed in a double-layer membrane - nuclear membrane - that separates the nucleus from other organelles

Lacks a protective membrane

Chromosomal content

Contains several chromosomes

Typically contains only one chromosome

Organelle & fluid content

Houses a nucleolus and a fluid known as nucleoplasm

Nucleolus and nucleoplasm are absent

Function

Controls cellular activities such as protein synthesis, metabolism, growth, and reproduction
Regulates gene expression

Synthesize rRNA and ribosomes

Importance

Mainly responsible for housing the genetic material and regulating gene expression

Mainly responsible for producing rRNA

Basis of differentiation	Nucleus	Nucleiod
Definition	Is a membrane-bound organelle found in the eukaryotic cell that contains most of the cell’s genetic material	Is a region within a prokaryotic cell that contains most or all of the genetic material
Organization	Is well-organized, large, and takes up a large portion of the cell	Is poorly organized, small, and takes up a small portion of the cell
Shape	Is spherical in shape	Is an irregularly shaped area
Membrane	Is enclosed in a double-layer membrane - nuclear membrane - that separates the nucleus from other organelles	Lacks a protective membrane
Chromosomal content	Contains several chromosomes	Typically contains only one chromosome
Organelle & fluid content	Houses a nucleolus and a fluid known as nucleoplasm	Nucleolus and nucleoplasm are absent
Function	Controls cellular activities such as protein synthesis, metabolism, growth, and reproduction Regulates gene expression	Synthesize rRNA and ribosomes
Importance	Mainly responsible for housing the genetic material and regulating gene expression	Mainly responsible for producing rRNA