The difference between eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells is shown in the table below.
As you might have known before, a cell is the basic unit of life.
These cells are classified as prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells.
Prokaryotic cells are considered primitive, while eukaryotic cells are advanced.
The key difference between these two exists in the nucleus and its content.
However, these cells also differ mainly in terms of both anatomical and physiological features.
The names pro=before (early) karyotic (nucleus) and Eu=True (current) karyotic (nucleus).
Interestingly, prokaryotes are seen among plants and microorganisms, but eukaryotes are present in both plants and animals.
Below are the critical differences between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells.
| Feature | Eukaryotics | Prokaryotics |
| Age on Earth | Recently evolved after billions of years of prokaryotes emerged | Primitive and existed much earlier than eukaryotes |
| Size range of organisms | Cells are < 5 µm and are larger with a size of 10 to 100 microns in diameter | Cells are smaller in ranges of 1-4 µm. |
| Nucleus | It is present and has a well-defined nuclear membrane and chromosomes. | The nucleus is absent but nuclear material like chromosomes are present. |
| Cell structure | It is complex, with many organelles and their arrangement | It is simple with few organelles. |
| Reproduction time | Reproduction is slow and prolonged | Reproduction is very quick in few minutes |
| Zygote | Partial diploid (merozygoic) | Diploid zygote |
| Cytoplasm behavior | Cytoplasmic streaming present | Streaming of cytoplasm is absent. |
| Pinocytosis | It is a cell-drinking process and is present | Pinocytosis is absent |
| Cell organelles present | Mitochondria, lysosomes, peroxisomes, microtubules, endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus are present | All these organelles are absent in prokaryotes. |
| Chloroplasts | These are cell organelles involved in photosynthesis. | Chloroplasts are absent, but chlorophyll pigment is present. |
| Cell wall | Made of steroids, lignins, pectin, etc. | Made of Peptidoglycan |
| Ribosomes | 80S ribosome with two parts are 60S and 40S are present | 70S ribosome with two parts as 50S and 30S are present. |
| Gas vacuoles | Absent | Present |
| Mesosomes | Absent | Present |
| DNA structure | Double-stranded helical DNA | Single-stranded DNA. |
| Chromosomes | Histones present | Histones absent |
| Examples | All protozoa, animals and plant cells | Bacteria and a few algae. |
Besides the above, a few differences also exist in enzymes and other biomolecules.
The enzymes involved in the induction of negative supercoils during cell division are different.
For instance, in prokaryotes, these enzymes are called DNA gyrases.
In eukaryotes, the same function is performed by the enzyme DNA topoisomerases.
Physiological Difference Between Eukaryotic and Prokaryotic cells
Also, during protein synthesis, the mRNA is formed first in the nucleus comes out and lies over the endoplasmic reticulum.
Then, the protein synthesis or translation starts. So, the process of transcription and translation occurs at different times in eukaryotes.
But, in prokaryotes, both the transcription and translation occur simultaneously.
The cell energy is produced in the form of ATP by the mitochondria in eukaryotes. This production occurs by a process called oxidative phosphorylation in between the membranes of mitochondria.
However, as discussed earlier, mitochondria are absent in prokaryotes. Hence, this oxidative phosphorylation occurs in the cytoplasmic membrane.
The electron transport proteins are located in the plasma membrane. While, the enzymes for the tricarboxylic acid cycle are found in the cytoplasm.