Differences and Similarities Between Eukaryotic and Prokaryotic Cells

Eukaryotic Cells

• Example: Animal and plant cells
• Key Features:
  • Nucleus: Contains genetic material (DNA).
    • Genetic material is enclosed within the nucleus.
  • Cell Membrane: Outer layer of the cell (do not confuse with cell wall).
  • Cytoplasm: Present within the cell membrane.
• Definition: Eukaryotic cells have their genetic material enclosed in a nucleus.

Prokaryotic Cells

• Example: Bacterial cells
• Key Features:
  • No Nucleus: Genetic material is not enclosed in a nucleus.
    • Consists of a single loop of DNA.
  • Plasmids: Small rings of DNA that may be present.
  • Cell Membrane and Cell Wall:
    • Has a cell membrane similar to eukaryotic cells.
    • Has a bacterial cell wall (distinct from plant cell walls).
  • Cytoplasm: Present within the cell.
• Size: Prokaryotic cells are much smaller than eukaryotic cells.
• Definition: Prokaryotic cells have genetic material not enclosed in a nucleus.

Summary

• Eukaryotic vs Prokaryotic:
  • Enclosure of genetic material: Eukaryotes (enclosed), Prokaryotes (not enclosed).
  • Size: Eukaryotic cells are larger.
  • Structures: Both have cell membranes and cytoplasm, but only prokaryotes have plasmids.
  • Cell wall differences: Prokaryotes have a bacterial cell wall; plant cells (eukaryotic) have a different type of cell wall.

• Further Learning:
  • More detailed functions of cell membrane and cytoplasm to be covered in later videos.
  • Practice questions available in the vision workbook.