Difference between prokaryotes and eukaryotes

The primary difference between prokaryotes and eukaryotes lies in their cellular structure and
organization. Here’s a detailed comparison:

1. Nucleus

• Prokaryotes: Lack a true nucleus. Their genetic material (DNA) is not enclosed within a
membrane and is found in a region called the nucleoid.
• Eukaryotes: Have a well-defined, membrane-bound nucleus where the DNA is stored.

2. Size

• Prokaryotes: Generally smaller, usually between 0.1–5.0 µm in diameter.

• Eukaryotes: Larger, typically between 10–100 µm in diameter.

3. Cellular Complexity

• Prokaryotes: Simpler in structure. They do not have membrane-bound organelles (e.g.,

mitochondria, chloroplasts, endoplasmic reticulum).
• Eukaryotes: More complex. They contain a variety of membrane-bound organelles that
perform specific functions within the cell.

4. Organelles

• Prokaryotes: Lack membrane-bound organelles, though they do have ribosomes (for

protein synthesis), which are smaller than those in eukaryotes.
• Eukaryotes: Contain numerous membrane-bound organelles like the nucleus,
mitochondria, chloroplasts (in plants), Golgi apparatus, and endoplasmic reticulum.

5. DNA Structure

• Prokaryotes: Typically have a single, circular chromosome located in the nucleoid.

• Eukaryotes: Possess multiple, linear chromosomes enclosed within the nucleus. The
DNA is associated with histone proteins.

6. Reproduction

• Prokaryotes: Reproduce asexually through binary fission, a simple process of cell

division.
• Eukaryotes: Can reproduce both asexually (e.g., mitosis) and sexually (e.g., meiosis),
which involves more complex cell division processes.

7. Cell Wall
 • Prokaryotes: Most have a cell wall, which can be made of peptidoglycan (in bacteria) or
other materials (in archaea).
• Eukaryotes: Some have a cell wall (plants, fungi), but it is composed of cellulose (in
plants) or chitin (in fungi), not peptidoglycan.

8. Examples

• Prokaryotes: Bacteria and Archaea.

• Eukaryotes: Animals, plants, fungi, and protists.

9. Ribosomes

• Prokaryotes: Have smaller (70S) ribosomes.

• Eukaryotes: Have larger (80S) ribosomes, though mitochondria and chloroplasts have
their own 70S ribosomes.

10. Energy Production

• Prokaryotes: Energy production occurs in the cell membrane since they lack
mitochondria.
• Eukaryotes: Energy production occurs in mitochondria (and chloroplasts in plants).

These differences reflect the evolutionary complexity of eukaryotic cells compared to simpler
prokaryotic cells.

Difference between animal and plant cell

Animal and plant cells are both eukaryotic, but they have several key differences related to their
structure, function, and organelles. Here's a detailed comparison:

1. Cell Wall

• Animal Cells: Do not have a cell wall. They are surrounded only by a flexible plasma
membrane.
• Plant Cells: Have a rigid cell wall made of cellulose, in addition to the plasma
membrane. The cell wall provides structure and protection.

2. Shape

• Animal Cells: Typically round or irregular in shape due to the lack of a rigid cell wall.
• Plant Cells: More rectangular or square due to the presence of a rigid cell wall that
defines their shape.

3. Chloroplasts
 • Animal Cells: Do not contain chloroplasts because animals do not perform
photosynthesis.
• Plant Cells: Contain chloroplasts, which are the site of photosynthesis. Chloroplasts
enable plants to convert sunlight into energy.

4. Vacuoles

• Animal Cells: May have small, temporary vacuoles, which are involved in storage or
waste removal, but these are not as prominent.
• Plant Cells: Contain a large, central vacuole that occupies most of the cell's volume. This
vacuole stores water, nutrients, and waste products and helps maintain turgor pressure
(which keeps the plant upright).

5. Centrioles

• Animal Cells: Have centrioles, which are involved in organizing microtubules during
cell division (mitosis and meiosis).
• Plant Cells: Usually lack centrioles. Instead, they use other structures to organize
microtubules during cell division.

6. Lysosomes

• Animal Cells: Contain lysosomes, which are involved in digestion and waste removal by
breaking down macromolecules.
• Plant Cells: Rarely have lysosomes. Plant cells often use their vacuole for waste storage
and digestion.

7. Plasmodesmata

• Animal Cells: Do not have plasmodesmata, as they don't need cell-to-cell channels for
direct communication.
• Plant Cells: Contain plasmodesmata, which are small channels that allow
communication and transport of substances between adjacent plant cells.

8. Energy Storage

• Animal Cells: Store energy in the form of glycogen (a polysaccharide).

• Plant Cells: Store energy as starch (also a polysaccharide).

9. Cytokinesis (Cell Division)

• Animal Cells: During cytokinesis, animal cells undergo cleavage, forming a furrow that
pinches the cell into two.
• Plant Cells: Due to the rigid cell wall, plant cells form a cell plate during cytokinesis,
which eventually becomes the new cell wall separating the two daughter cells.
10. Cilia and Flagella

• Animal Cells: Some animal cells have cilia or flagella, which are used for movement or
sensory functions.
• Plant Cells: Generally do not have cilia or flagella, though sperm cells of some plant
species may have flagella.

11. Mitochondria

• Both: Both animal and plant cells contain mitochondria, the organelles responsible for
producing energy (ATP) through cellular respiration.

12. Peroxisomes

• Both: Both cell types contain peroxisomes, which break down fatty acids and detoxify
harmful substances.

13. Golgi Apparatus, Endoplasmic Reticulum, and Nucleus

• Both: Animal and plant cells both have a Golgi apparatus, endoplasmic reticulum
(smooth and rough), and a nucleus, where DNA is stored and cellular functions are
regulated.

Summary of Key Differences:

• Cell Wall: Present in plants, absent in animals.

• Chloroplasts: Present in plants for photosynthesis, absent in animals.
• Vacuole: Large central vacuole in plants, small or absent in animals.
• Centrioles: Present in animals, absent or rare in plants.
• Shape: Regular and rectangular in plants, irregular and round in animals.