Cell Structure Components

Both eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells share common structural components, including:

Unit membrane: Boundary that defines the cell or organelle.

Protoplasm: The living contents of the cell.

Genetic material: DNA or RNA that carries genetic information.

Ribosomes: Structures involved in protein synthesis.

Life is categorized into three domains: Archaea, Bacteria, and Eukarya. Archaea and Bacteria are
considered prokaryotic, while Eukarya consists of eukaryotic organisms. The presence of a nucleus
distinguishes eukaryotic cells from prokaryotic cells.

Prokaryotic Cells

Examples include bacteria and archaea.

DNA region: DNA is in the nucleoid, not enclosed by a membrane.

Single, circular DNA: Prokaryotes have a single circular DNA, whereas eukaryotes have linear DNA
organized into chromosomes.

Simpler Organization: Lack membrane-bound organelles.

Cell Wall Composition: Bacterial cell walls are made of peptidoglycan.

Organelles: Prokaryotes lack membrane-bound organelles, with the nucleoid and ribosomes being
exceptions.

Eukaryotic Cells

Examples include plants, animals, fungi, and some protozoa.

DNA region: DNA is within the nucleus, enclosed by a nuclear membrane.

Multiple Linear Chromosomes: Eukaryotes have multiple linear chromosomes within the nucleus.

Complex Organization: Contains membrane-bound organelles such as mitochondria, dictyosomes, and

chloroplasts (in plants).

Cell Wall Composition: Plant cell walls are made of cellulose, fungi cell walls are made of chitin.

No Cell Wall in Animals: Animals, despite being eukaryotic, lack a cell wall.

Organelles: Eukaryotes possess membrane-bound organelles such as mitochondria, chloroplasts, and

dictyosomes.

Key pointers of other terms:

• Plant cells have a cell wall made of cellulose.

• Fungi cells have a cell wall made of chitin.

• Bacterial cells have a cell wall made of peptidoglycan.

• Animals (eukaryotes) generally lack a cell wall.

• Ribosomes in both cell types synthesize proteins.

• Proteins act as catalysts, speeding up cellular reactions.

• The phylogenetic tree suggests that life originated from archaeobacteria, evolving into bacteria,
and then eukaryotes.