Cell As A Unit of Life

Comparison Chart
BASIS FOR
PROKARYOTIC CELLS EUKARYOTIC CELLS
COMPARISON
Size 0.5-3um 2-100um
Kind of Cell Single-cell Multicellular
Cell Wall Cell wall present, comprise of Usually cell wall absent, if present
peptidoglycan or mucopeptide (plant cells and fungus), comprises
(polysaccharide). of cellulose (polysaccharide).
Presence of Well-defined nucleus is absent, A well-defined nucleus is present

Nucleus rather 'nucleoid' is present which is enclosed within nuclear
an open region containing DNA. memebrane.
Shape of DNA Circular, double-stranded DNA. Linear, double-stranded DNA.
Mitochondria Absent Present
Ribosome 70S 80S
Golgi Apparatus Absent Present
Endoplasmic Absent Present

Reticulum
Mode of Asexual Most commonly sexual

Reproduction
Cell Divison Binary Fission, Mitosis

(conjugation, transformation,
transduction)
Lysosomes and Absent Present
Peroxisomes
Chloroplast (Absent) scattered in the cytoplasm. Present in plants, algae.
Transcription and Occurs together. Transcription occurs in nucleus and

Translation translation in cytosol.
Organelles Organelles are not membrane Organelles are membrane bound

bound, if present any. and are specific in function.
Replication Single origin of replication. Multiple origins of replication.
Number of Only one (not true called as a More than one.

Chromosomes plasmid).
Examples Archaea, Bacteria. Plants and Animals.
Definition of Prokaryotic Cells
Pro means ‘old,’ and karyon means ‘nucleus,’ So as the name suggest the history of the
evolution of prokaryotic cells is at least 3.5 billion years old, but they are still important to us in
many aspects like they are used in industries for fermentation (Lactobacillus, Streptococcus),
for research work, etc. In comparison to eukaryotic cells, they lack few organelles and are not
advanced as eukaryotes.
Generalized structure of Prokaryotic cell consists of the following:
1. Glycocalyx: This layer function as a receptor, the adhesive also provide protection to the
cell wall.
2. Nucleoid: It is the location of the genetic material (DNA), large DNA molecule is
condensed into the small packet.
3. Pilus: Hair like hollow attachment present on the surface of bacteria, and is used to
transfers of DNA to other cells during cell-cell adhesion.
4. Mesosomes: It is the extension of the cell membrane, unfolded into the cytoplasm their
role is during the cellular respiration.
5. Flagellum: Helps in movement, attached to the basal body of the cell.
6. Cell Wall: It provides rigidity and support for the cell.
7. Fimbriae: Helps in attachment to the surface and other bacteria while mating. These are
small hair-like structure.
8. Inclusion/Granules: It helps in storage of carbohydrates, glycogen, phosphate, fats in the
form of particles which can be used when needed.
9. Ribosomes: Tiny particles which help in protein synthesis.
10. Cell membrane: Thin layer of protein and lipids, surrounds cytoplasm and regulate the
flow of materials inside and outside the cells.
11. Endospore: It helps cell in surviving during harsh conditions.
In terms of peptidoglycan present in the cell wall, prokaryotes can be divided into Gram-
positive and Gram -negative bacteria. The former contains a large amount of peptidoglycan in
their cell wall while the latter have the thin layer.
Definition of Eukaryotic Cells
Eu means ‘new,’ and karyon means ‘nucleus,’ so these are the advanced type of cells found in
plant, animals, and fungi. Eukaryotic cells have a well-defined nucleus and different organelles
to perform different functions within the cell, though working is complex to understand.
Thi
s kind of cells are found in algae, fungi, protozoa, plants, and animals and can be single-celled,
colonial or multicellular. Among them, fungi and protists (algae and protozoa) are the major
kingdoms.
The general structure of Eukaryotic cells contain:

● Nucleus: Eukaryotic cells have a well-defined nucleus where DNA (genetic material) is
stored, it helps in the production of protein synthesis and ribosomes also. The
chromosome is present inside the nucleus, which is surrounded by the nuclear envelope.
It is a bi-lipid layer and controls the passage of ions and molecules.
● Cytoplasm: It is the location where other organelles are located, and other metabolic
activities of the cell also take place here. It consists of –
● Mitochondria: It is called ‘the powerhouse of the cell,’ and is responsible for

making ATP. Mitochondria has its own DNA and ribosomes.
● Chloroplast: These are found in algae and plants, it is one of the most important
organelles in the plant which helps in converting energy sunlight into chemical
energy through photosynthesis. They resemble mitochondria.
● Golgi Apparatus: It consists of a stack of many flattened, disc-shaped sacs known as
cisternae. The exact nature of Golgi varies, but it helps in the packaging of
materials and in secreting them.
● Lysosomes and Vacuoles – The most important function of Endoplasmic

reticulum and Golgi apparatus is the synthesis of Lysosomes, which helps in
digestion of intracellular molecules with the help of the enzyme called
hydrolase.
● Vacuoles are the membrane-bound cavities containing fluid as well as solid
materials, and they engulf materials through endocytosis.
● Endoplasmic Reticulum: It transport lipids, proteins, and other materials through
the cell. They are of two types of smooth endoplasmic reticulum and rough
endoplasmic reticulum.
● Appendages: Cilia and Flagella are locomotory attachments, helps in the movement of a
cell towards positive stimuli. Cilia are shorter than flagella and numerous.
● Surface structure: Glycocalyx is a kind of polysaccharide, and it is the outermost layer of
the cell which helps in cell adherence, protection and in receiving signals from other cells.
● Cell Wall: Cell Wall provides shapes, rigidity, and support to the cell. Compositions of the
cell wall may vary of different organisms but which can be of either cellulose, pectin,
chitin or peptidoglycan.
● Cytoplasmic Membrane/Plasma Membrane: It is a thin semipermeable, surrounding the
cytoplasm, it acts as the barrier of the cell which regulates entry and exit of the
substances inside and outside the cell. This layer is made up of two layers of
phospholipids embedded with proteins. In Plant cell, this layer is present below the cell
wall whereas in the Animal cell it is the outermost layer.
● Ribosomes: Though small in size but are present in numbers, they help in protein
synthesis. Eukaryotes have 80S ribosomes which are further divided into two subunits
which are 40S and 60S (S stands for Sedverg unit).
● Cytoskeleton: It is supporting framework of the cells, which is of two types Microtubules
and Microfilaments. Microtubules have a diameter of about 24 nanometers (nm), made
up of a protein called tubulin, while Microfilaments has a diameter of 6nm, made of the
protein called actin. Microtubules are the largest filament and Microfilament the smallest
one.
Key Difference Between Prokaryotic Cells and Eukaryotic Cells
Following are the substantial difference between Prokaryotic Cells and Eukaryotic Cell:
1. Prokaryotic cells are the primitive kind of cell, whose size varies from 0.5-3µm, they are
generally found in single-cell organisms, while Eukaryotic cells are the modified cell
structure containing different components in it, their size varies from 2-100µm, they are
found in multicellular organisms.
2. Organelles like mitochondria, ribosomes, Golgi body, endoplasmic reticulum, cell wall,
chloroplast, etc. are absent in prokaryotic cells, while these organelles are found in
eukaryotic organisms. Though cell wall and chloroplast are not found in the animal cell, it
is present in the green plant cell, few bacteria, and algae.
3. The main difference between Prokaryotic cells and the Eukaryotic cell is the nucleus,
which is not well defined in prokaryotes whereas it is well structured, compartmentalized
and functional in eukaryotes.
4. Cell organelles are present which are membrane-bound and have individual functions in
eukaryotic cells; many organelles are absent in prokaryotic cells.
5. In prokaryotes, the cell division takes place through conjugation, transformation,
transduction but in eukaryotes, it is through the process of cell division.
6. The process of transcription and translation occurs together, and there is a single origin
of replication in the prokaryotic cell. On the other hand, there are multiple origins of
replication and transcription occurs in nucleus and translation in the cytosol.
7. Genetic Material (DNA) is circular and double-stranded in Prokaryotes, but in Eukaryotes,
it is linear and double-stranded.
8. Prokaryotes reproduce asexually; commonly Prokaryotes have a sexual mode of
reproduction.
9. Prokaryotes are the simplest, smallest and most abundantly found cells on earth;
Eukaryotes are larger and complex cells.
Conclusion
The cell is the basic unit of life, responsible for all biological activities of the living being whether
its prokaryote or eukaryote. Both of these cells vary in their role, like prokaryotes are the old
type of cells hence they lack a proper nucleus and other organelles too, which are very well
present in eukaryotes, as these are the evolved and advanced cells.

Cell As A Unit of Life

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Comparison Chart

Size 0.5-3um 2-100um

Kind of Cell Single-cell Multicellular

Presence of Well-defined nucleus is absent, A well-defined nucleus is present

Shape of DNA Circular, double-stranded DNA. Linear, double-stranded DNA.

Mitochondria Absent Present

Ribosome 70S 80S

Golgi Apparatus Absent Present

Endoplasmic Absent Present

Mode of Asexual Most commonly sexual

Cell Divison Binary Fission, Mitosis

Chloroplast (Absent) scattered in the cytoplasm. Present in plants, algae.

Transcription and Occurs together. Transcription occurs in nucleus and

Organelles Organelles are not membrane Organelles are membrane bound

Replication Single origin of replication. Multiple origins of replication.

Number of Only one (not true called as a More than one.

Examples Archaea, Bacteria. Plants and Animals.

Definition of Prokaryotic Cells

Definition of Eukaryotic Cells

The general structure of Eukaryotic cells contain:

● Mitochondria: It is called ‘the powerhouse of the cell,’ and is responsible for

● Lysosomes and Vacuoles – The most important function of Endoplasmic

Key Difference Between Prokaryotic Cells and Eukaryotic Cells

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