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
peptidoglycan or present (plant cells and
mucopeptide fungus), comprises of
(polysaccharide). cellulose (polysaccharide).

Presence of Well-defined nucleus is A well-defined nucleus is

Nucleus absent, rather 'nucleoid' is present enclosed within
present which is an open nuclear memebrane.
region containing DNA.

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

DNA. 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)
 BASIS FOR
PROKARYOTIC CELLS EUKARYOTIC CELLS
COMPARISON

Lysosomes and Absent Present

Peroxisomes

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

cytoplasm.

Transcription and Occurs together. Transcription occurs in

Translation nucleus and translation in
cytosol.

Organelles Organelles are not Organelles are membrane

membrane bound, if present bound and are specific in
any. 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.

Organelle Structure Function

Cell-surface membrane Phospholipid bilayer with proteins The fluid-mosaic model of the membrane
and cholesterol embedded within refers to the fluidity and range of molecules
it. Glycolipids and glycoproteins in the membrane. Cholesterol provides
in the surface. strength and reduces fluidity, proteins are fo
transport and the glycoproteins and
glycolipids are for cell recognition and act a
receptors.
Nucleus Surrounded by a double membrane Nucleolus is the site of rRNA product and
nuclear envelope with nuclear makes ribosomes. DNA replication and
pores. Containing chromosomes, transcription occur in the nucleus.
consisting of protein-bound, linear
DNA, and one or more nucleolus
Mitochondria  Double membrane organelle. The Site of aerobic respiration and ATP
 inner membrane is folded to form production.
cristae. Contains a fluid centre
called the matrix
Chloroplasts Surrounded by a double The site of photosynthesis. The stroma
membrane. Contains thylakoids, contains enzymes for the light-independent
which are folded membrane stage of photosynthesis
containing chlorophyll pigments.
Contains a fluid centre, the stroma.
Golgi apparatus and Golgi Stacks of membranes creating Proteins and lipids and modified here.
vesicles  flattened sacs called cisternae, Carbohydrates can be added to proteins to
surrounded by small round hollow form glycoproteins. Finished products are
vesicles. transported in the Golgi vesicles.
Lysosomes Formed when the Golgi apparatus A type of Golgi vesicle that releases
contains hydrolytic enzymes. lysozymes.
Ribosomes Small granules in cells made of The site of translation in protein synthesis.
protein and rRNA. Made up of a
small and large subunit. 80s in size
in eukaryotes.
Rough endoplasmic Sheets of membranes linked to the RER – site of protein synthesis and
reticulum (RER) and smooth nucleus. The membranes form a glycoprotein synthesis. The proteins can the
endoplasmic reticulum network of cisternae- a network of be transported through the RER. SER –
(SER)  tubules and flattened sacs. The create, store and transport lipids and
RER have ribosomes on the outer carbohydrates.
surface.
Cell wall Found in plants, algae and fungi. Provides structural strength to cells and
Consists of polysaccharides, prevents cells from bursting when water
cellulose in plants and chitin in enters by osmosis.
fungi. There is a thin boundary
layer between adjacent cells called
the middle lamella.
Cell vacuole Found in plants. A single To provide support to a cell, store amino
membrane sac filled with fluid acids and sugars and can contain pigments t
containing salts, sugars and amino attract pollinators.
acids. The membrane around a cell
vacuole is called the tonoplast.