Prokaryotic Cells and Eukaryotic Cells (original) (raw)
Last Updated : 15 Apr, 2025
**Prokaryotic Cell and Eukaryotic Cell: Prokaryotic Cells and **Eukaryotic Cells are two types of cells. The major difference between these two is that Prokaryotic Cells do not have any membrane-bound organelles. Also, the true nucleus is absent in prokaryotes. Whereas Eukaryotic Cells contain all the membrane-bound organelles including the true nucleus.
What is a Prokaryotic Cell?
'Pro' means primitive and 'karyon' means nucleus. This means that Prokaryotic Cells are those which contains primitive nucleus. The **true nucleus is absent in the case of prokaryotes. The primitive nucleus is also known as Nucleoid. It is just a region where the DNA of the cell is present. The cell wall of prokaryotes is non-cellulosic and very complex in nature. Their size ranges from 3-5μm. Their cell cycle is not divided into phases. Membrane-bound organelles like Endoplasmic Reticulum, Golgi Apparatus, Plastids, Mitochondria, Centriole, Vacuole, Vesicles are absent. Cilia is also absent in prokaryotic cells. Flagella are made up of flagellin proteins which are randomly arranged and it has three parts, namely, basal body, hook, and filament. Some specialized structures like Pilli, Fimbrae, Mesosomes, Plasmid, and Inclusion Bodies are only present in prokaryotic cells. Examples of Prokaryotes include the whole Monera kingdom ( Eubacteria and Archaebacteria).
What is a Eukaryotic Cell?
'Eu' means True and 'karyon' means nucleus. This means that Eukaryotic Cells are those which contain true nuclei. The cell wall of prokaryotes can be cellulosic in plants, chitinous in fungi, and absent in animals. Also, the cell wall is very simple in nature. Their size ranges from 10-20μm. Except for RBCs whose size is 7μm. Their cell cycle is divided into proper phases. Membrane-bound organelles like Endoplasmic Reticulum, Golgi Apparatus, Plastids, Mitochondria, Centriole, Vacuole, Vesicles are present. Cilia is also present in eukaryotic cells. Flagella is made up of tubulin protein which has a 9+2 arrangement and it has two parts, namely, basal body and filament. Pilli, Fimbrae, Mesosomes, Plasmid, and Inclusion Bodies are absent in eukaryotic cells. Examples of Eukaryotes include Protista(Unicellular eukaryotes), Fungi, Plantae, and Animalia kingdoms.
Difference Between Prokaryotic cells and Eukaryotic Cells
| Features | Prokaryotic Cells | Eukaryotic Cells |
|---|---|---|
| True Nucleus | Absent | Present |
| Cell Wall Composition | Non-cellulosic and complex | Cellulosic (in plants), chitinous (in fungi), absent (in animals) |
| Size | 3-5μm | 10-20μm (except RBCs: 7μm) |
| Cell Cycle | Not divided into phases | Divided into proper phases |
| Membrane-bound Organelles | Absent | Present |
| Cilia | Absent | Present |
| Flagella Structure | The random arrangement of flagellin proteins, basal body, hook, filament | Tubulin protein, 9+2 arrangement, basal body, filament |
| Specialized Structures | Pilli, Fimbrae, Mesosomes, Plasmid, Inclusion Bodies | Absent |
| Examples | Monera kingdom (Eubacteria and Archaebacteria) | Protista (Unicellular eukaryotes), Fungi, Plantae, Animalia |