Prokaryotic Cell Versus Eukaryotic Cell

A member of microbial world is broadly falls in to two categories which are prokaryotic cells and eukaryotic cells. Prokaryotic cells have no cell nucleus or any other membrane organelles. Genetic material, DNA of prokaryotic cell is not bound unlike eukaryotes. However eukaryotes refer to true nuclei and membrane bound organelles. Most of prokaryotes are single celled and some are multicellular for instance myxobacteria. Eukaryotes are multicellular for instance plants and animals and are rarely unicellular. Structure of prokaryotes and eukaryotes helps in better prediction of unknown organism. Based on structure, prokaryotes are classified in to bacteria and archaea. Thus three domain systems were formed in the members of microbial world which includes bacteria, archaea and eukaryotes.

Specific difference in their cell structure is the presence or absence of nucleus. Prokaryotic cell genome is withheld by the not regular protein or DNA in the nucleoid which are located in cytosol. It has no nuclear envelope as there is no nucleus. Prokaryotic cell has no cellular bound organelles such as mitochondria and choloroplast. It participates in photosynthetic process and oxidative phosphorylation through its plasma membrane. It is characterized by the presence of internal structure such as cytoskeleton. Exception is Planctomycetes has nuclear membrane and other membrane bound organelles. Uniqueness between prokaryotes and eukaryotes is the presence of ribosomes. Ribosome helps in production of protein.

Prokaryotes has single loop of genetic material stable DNA located in nucleoid. Eukaryote has DNA that is tightly bound and they have well organized chromosomes. Some eukaryotes which are similar to prokaryotic cells called satellite DNA or plasmids. Significant genetic informations are stored in plasmids. The genetic information is transferred to other organisms only through these plasmids. Prokaryotes are usually smaller in size when compared to eukaryotic cells. Prokaryotes are very small in size hence they provide large surface to volume ratio of a cell. Ultimately increased large surface area results in increased metabolic rate. When metabolism rate increases, growth of the prokaryotic cell increases. For instance bacteria can multiply every 20 minutes once. Multiplication rate or growth rate is shorter when prokaryotic cell growth is compared to eukaryotic cell.