Difference between eukaryotic and prokaryotic cell

• Size: In general, we can establish that eukaryotic cells are larger (more than 10 micrometers) and have a greater complexity with respect to prokaryotes, whose size does not exceed 10 micrometers and have a simpler structure.
• Composition: A difference between eukaryotic and prokaryotic cell is the cell nucleus, in which the cell DNA is delimited. This is present alone and exclusively in eukaryotic cells, as well as cytoskeleton and other cell organelles, such as mitochondria, chloroplasts and vacuoles.
• Way of life: On the other hand, the way of life as independent unicellular organisms is characteristic of prokaryotic cells, while, within eukaryotic cells, some live unicellularly and free, while others constitute complex multicellular organisms. Learn more about this subject in this other ecology article about what are the unicellular and multicellular living beings with examples.
• Reproduction: Another aspect to differentiate between the eukaryotic and prokaryotic cell would be reproduction, always being asexual reproduction in prokaryotic cells, while in eukaryotes both types of cell reproduction processes are given: asexual and sexual. You can learn more about this topic with the example of plants with asexual reproduction: characteristics and examples.
• Shape: While eukaryotic cells can have very varied forms, prokaryotic cells usually have a spiral cane or spherical shape. In addition, the latter can form colonies.
• Cell division: Eukaryotic cells perform cell division through mitosis and meiosis. On the other hand, prokaryotic cells are carried out directly, by binary fission.

In addition, as a summary, in this table or comparative chart with the differences between eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells you can see it in a simple way.

• Importance: both eukaryot cells and prokaryotes are basic and fundamental units of life on earth. Thanks to them, each and every one of the different unicellular and multicellular organisms have been able to evolve and colonize the different habitats of the planet.
• Structures: Both types of cells are characterized by being structures delimited by membranes that inside retain their DNA or genetic informationas well as different enzymatic machinery that allows them to develop their Vital functions which are food, growth and reproduction.
• Development: To survive and evolve, eukaryotic and prokaryotes cells They constantly convert energy From one way to another, in addition to maintaining a continuous relationship with its exterior, in order to respond to the different sources of chemical-biological information they receive from the environment.

The meaning of eukaryotes comes from the Greek, where “EU” means “true” and “karyon”, “core”. In this way, the main characteristic that defines eukaryotic cells is the presence of a True nucleus Inside its cellular structure, which delimits and maintains the cell DNA in an organized way.

Cellular organelles of eukaryotic cells

In addition to the nucleus, between the Characteristics of eukaryotic cells We find that they have a broad and complex system of cell organelles among which are:

• The mitochondria: capable of generating energy that the cell uses to feed and grow. In this link you can see more information about mitochondria: function and structure.
• Chloroplasts: present in photosynthetic organisms. Here we tell you more about chloroplasts: what are, structure and function.
• The cytoskeleton: responsible for cell movement. In this other article you can read more about the cytoskeleton: what is, characteristics, function and structure.
• The endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi apparatus: In which innumerable chemical substances and components of the cell membrane and other structures are manufactured and modified. To learn more, we recommend you read these other ecology articles about the rough endoplasmic reticulum: what is and function, the smooth endoplasmic reticulum: what is and function and the Golgi apparatus: definition and function.

Organization and way of life of eukaryotic cells

As for their organization and way of life, complex eukaryotic cells are able to live as well as unicellular organisms(such as the amoebas of the protist kingdom or yeast, Fungi kingdom); as well as being able to form groups and create multicellular organisms of amazing complexity, such as all the organisms of the Plantae kingdom and the Animalia kingdom, and some of the fungi fungi.

So that you understand more about this type of cells, here we leave you an article about the eukaryotic cell: characteristics and its parts and another article about the similarity and difference between animal and plant cell and a related video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xn0ftda0hps

Prokaryotic cells are more diverse cellsas well as the simpler and olderif we look at the evolutionary history of living organisms. His own name, from the Greek “pro” which means “before”, refers to its existence prior to the appearance of the other type of existing cells, eukaryotes.

The different prokaryotic cells that have flooded virtually all the habitats of the earth, belong to the Monera Kingdom And they are bacteria (Eubacteria) and arches (Archea). Learn more about the Monera kingdom: what is, characteristics, classification and examples here.

If we use a large -resolution electronic microscope, we could observe how the interior of prokaryotic cells is practically summarized to a Matrix without a well -organized internal structurewhere, in a single compartment, the cytoplasm (aqueous gel in which chemical molecules) and cell DNA appears. Likewise, we could see how a resistant protective layer surrounds this compartment, it is the cell wall.

Other of the main Characteristics of prokaryotic cells are:

• Its morphology is variable (spherical, spiral or cane, etc.).
• Its rapid division by asexual reproduction.
• Its ability to exchange generic material with other organisms through certain structures present in its wall and membrane and cellular.

We tell you more about the prokaryotic cell: characteristics, parts and functions in the following post of Ecology Verde.

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