PROKARYOTES AND EUKARYOTES

Prokaryotes and Eukaryotes

Introduction:

 Before jumping on the topic, we should be aware of cellular (multicellular or

unicellular) microorganisms and acellular (Non-cellular) microorganisms.
 Cellular means having cell. It must be having one more than one cells. As for
example, Bacteria, Protozoa, Fungi, Algae.
 Acellular means having no cell. As for Example, Viruses, Virions and Prions.
 So, Microorganisms can be either Prokaryotes or Eukaryotes.

Prokaryotes:

 Greek word combining Pro + karyon= Primitive + Nucleus

 The Prokaryotes are organisms with Primitive cellular structure.
 They lack membrane bound organelles.
 Prokaryotes include Eubacteria and Archaebacteria.

While, Eukaryotes:

 Greek work combining Eu+karyon= True+Nucleus

 The Eukaryotes are organisms with well-developed cellular structure.
 They possess member bound organelles.
 Eukaryotes include Algae, Fungi, Protozoa, Animals and Plants.

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 PROKARYOTES AND EUKARYOTES

Comparison chart of Prokaryotes and Eukaryotes: Carl Woese and Box

suggested A phylogenetic classification of living organisms and divided them into three
domains.

No. Features Prokaryotes Eukaryotes

Domain: Bacteria Domain: Domain: Fungi,

Archaea Algae, Protozoa,
Plantae, Animalia.
1. Type of Nucleus Primitive nucleus Primitive True and well
not bound by nucleus without developed membrane
nuclear membrane. nuclear bound nucleus.
So called as membrane.
Chromatin material
or Nucleoid.
2. No. of Single circular Single circular More than one linear
Chromosomes. chromosome. chromosome. Chromosome.
3. DNA Not complexed In some cases, Complexed with
with histone. complexed with histones.
histone.
4. Plasmid Freely in cytoplasm Freely in Rarely seen.
or as episome. cytoplasm.
5. Cellular structure Lack membrane Lack membrane Possess membrane
bound organelles. bound bound organelles like
organelles. mitochondria,
chloroplast,
endoplasmic
reticulum, Golgi
apparatus.
6. Cell wall Majorly made up of Made up of Peptidoglycan absent.
Peptidoglycan. Pseudomurein-
peptidoglycan
like polymer
7. Plasma Ester-linked Glycerol di- Ester-linked
Membrane(Lipid) phospholipids. ethers and phospholipids and
Sterol absent. diglycerol sterols.
tetraether. In
some cases
sterol present.
8. Ribosomes 70S 70S 80S

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 PROKARYOTES AND EUKARYOTES

9. Gas vesicles Present Present Absent

10. Cell division Binary fission by Binary fission by Mitosis and meiosis.
amitosis. amitosis.
11. Metabolism Diversity of Unusual Common pathway like
Metabolic pathway. metabolic glycolysis.
properties.
12. Habitat Omnipresent. Found in Favourable conditions.
extreme
environment.
13. Cytoskeleton Rudimentary Rudimentary Consists
(Basic structure of (basic structure microfilaments,
filament). of filament). intermediate and
microtubules.

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