MC 3

PROKARYOTES
& EUKARYOTES

JUSTIN ABASULA & SOFIA ISABELLE ABAY

LEARNING
OBJECTIVES
1. Differentiate prokaryotes from
eukaryotes; and
2. Characterize the different medically
important microorganisms.
 LIVING ORGANISMS

PROKARYOTES EUKARYOTES
are organisms that do not possess a true are organisms that possess a true nucleus
nucleus and membrane-bound organelles. and membrane-bound organelles.
PROKARYOTIC | EUKARYOTIC
 PROKARYOTIC | EUKARYOTIC
FEATURE PROKARYOTIC EUKARYOTIC

GENETIC MATERIAL Not enclosed within a Enclosed within a

membrane; not associated with
histones; usually circular
SIZE Smaller (1-2 µm by 1-4 µm or
less)
CELL TYPE Mostly unicellular
membrane; associated
with histones; usually
linear
Greater than 5 µm in
diameter
Mostly multicellular

NUCLEUS No true nucleus and nuclear With true nucleus

membrane enclosed by nuclear
membrane.
CELL WALL Simple Complex

CELL DIVISION Budding or binary fission Mitosis

SEXUAL No meiosis; transfer of DNA Meiosis

PRODUCTION only
PROKARYOTIC | EUKARYOTIC
FEATURE PROKARYOTIC EUKARYOTIC

CYTOSKELETON Absent Present

MESOSOME Functions as mitochondria Absent

and Golgi complex
RIBOSOMES 70S; located in cytoplasm 80S; located in membranes
such as in the endoplasmic
reticulum
70S; found in organelles such
as mitochondria or chloroplast
MEMBRANE- BOUND Absent Present
ORGANELLES
EXTRACHROMOSAL Present Absent
PLASMID
DURATION OF CELL Short (20-60 minutes) Long (12-24 hours)
CYCLE
 Medically Important
Microorganisms

BACTERIA
Organisms that are considered
VIRUSES
medically important or have the
FUNGI
ability to produce significant
ALGAE
clinical disease in humans.
PARASITES
 VIRUSES
- Acellular organisms
- Capsid is the outer surface which is composed of the repeating sub-
units called capsomeres
- It only possess a single nucleic acid.
- Rely on the cellular machinery of the host cell for protein and energy
production.
- Viruses are considered obligate intracellular parasites.
Viruses are classified based on the following:
1. Type of nucleic acid they possess.
2. Shape of the capsid
3. Number of capsomeres
4. Size of capsid
5. Presence or absence of an envelope
6. Type of host they infect
7. Type of disease they produce
8. Target cell or tropism
9. Immunologic or antigenic properties.
BACTERIOPHAGES- special type of viruses that primarily infect bacteria.

They are similar to other viruses in that:

1. They are obligate intracellular parasites
2. They are similarly shaped like other viruses
3. They may also be classified based on the type of nucleic acid they
possess

- Play a role in the acquisition of virulence factors of certain bacteria, as

well as in the transfer of genetic material from one bacterium to another.
BACTERIA & FUNGI
Bacteria- prokaryotic cells with majority having an outer covering called the cell wall that is
composed mainly of peptidoglycan.
- It possess both DNA and RNA
- It also possess a nucleoid instead of a true nucleus, smaller ribosomes and lack of
mitochondria.

Based on their physical characteristics, bacteria may be broadly categorized into:

1. gram-negative cell wall
2. Gram-positive cell wall
3. Acid-fast bacteria with lipid-rich cell wall
4. Bacteria without cell wall

Fungi- eukaryotic cells with an outer surface composed of chitin. 

- Cell membrane is mostly made up of ergosterol.
- It also possess both DNA and RNA
- Possess true nucleus that is enclosed by a nuclear membrane and Mitochondria for ATP
production.
 Comparison between fungi and bacteria
FEATURE BACTERIA FUNGI

CELL TYPE Prokaryotic; unicellular Eukaryotic; unicellular or

multicellular
ROLE IN Can be both producers and Mainly decomposers
ECOSYSTEM decomposers
OPTIMAL pH Neutral pH (6.5-7.0) Slightly acidic (4.0-6.0)

CELL STRUCTURES No true nucleus and membrane- Possess true nucleus and
bound organelles membrane- bound organelles
MAIN COMPONENT Peptidoglycan, except in Chitin
OF CELL WALL archaebacteria
STEROLS IN CELL Absent except in Mycoplasma Present
MEMBRANE
MODE OF Heterothropic, chemoautotrophic, Heterotrophic; majority aerobic and
NUTRITION photoautotrophic, aerobic, anaerobic, facultative anaerobic
facultative anaerobic
REPRODUCTION Binary fission Sexual and asexual spores
PROTOZOA
Protozoa- representatives for parasites. 
- Eukaryotic cells that have an outer surface called a pellicle.
- Usually divides through binary fission like bacteria.
- Majority exist in two morphologic forms- cysts (infective
stage) and trophozoites (pathogenic stage)
- Possess both DNA and RNA as well as other cellular features
that can be seen in typical eukaryotic cells.
 ALGAE
Algae- eukaryotic organisms whose outer surface consists of
cellulose. 
- Described as plant-like organisms, but do not possess true roots,
stems, and leaves. 
- Vary in size from the single-celled phytoplanktons to the large
seaweeds found in ocean floor.
- Do not produce significant disease in humans.
- Most algae are beneficial in that they are important sources of
food, iodine, and other minerals. 
- Can also be used as fertilizers, stabilizers for ice cream and salad
dressings, and emulsifiers for puddings.
 Comparison between algae and plants
FEATURE ALGAE PLANTS

TAXONOMIC CLASSIFICATION Kingdom Protista Kingdom Plantae

CELLULAR STRUCTURE Unicellular, multicellular or Multicellular

colony forming
PHOTOSYNTHETIC Yes Yes

ENERGY SOURCE Carbon dioxide Carbon dioxide

STORAGE FORM OF ENERGY Starch Starch

VASCULAR SYSTEM Absent Present

HABITAT Mostly water Mostly rooted to the ground

COMPOSED OF ROOTS, No Yes

STEMS, AND LEAVES
METHOD OF REPRODUCTION Both asexual and sexual Sexual (complex
Diatoms are unicellular algae that inhabit both fresh and saltwater.
- Their wall contains silicone dioxide that may be utilized in filtration systems,
insulation, and as abrasives.
- Dinoflagellates are also unicellular algae that are important members of
the phytoplankton group.
- Contribute greatly to the oxygen in the atmosphere and serve as important
links in the food chain.
- Also responsible for “red tide”.
- These small organisms produce a powerful neurotoxin which, when
ingested in significant amounts, is responsible for the potentially fatal
disease called paralytic shellfish poisoning.
THANK YOU!!!