Chapter 12, Problem 1SA

What are the major differences between a prokaryotic cell and a eukaryotic cell?

Summary Introduction

To review:

The differences between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cell.

Introduction:

The key difference between the prokaryotes and eukaryotes is known to be the most vital difference between the groups of various organisms. The eukaryotic cells comprisemembrane-bound structures like the nucleus, whereas the prokaryotic cells do not consist of this. The differences among prokaryotic and eukaryotic cellular structure also includes the presence of the cell wall, mitochondria, chloroplasts, and the chromosomal DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) structure.

Explanation of Solution

Eukaryotic cell	Prokaryotic cell
Nucleus is present.	Nucleus is absent.
Chromosomes are more in number.	Only one chromosome is present, which is not a true chromosome and is known as plasmids.
It is multicellular.	Unicellular.
The truemembrane-bound nucleus ispresent in it.	It is absent.
Animals as well as the plants are classified as the eukaryotic cells.	Bacteria and archaea are eukaryotic cells.
Meiosis as well as the fusion of the gametes leads to the recombination of genes	Partial recombination.
Lysosomes and peroxisomes are present.	It is absent.
Microtubules are present.	It is rare or absent.
Mitochondria are present.	Absent.
Histones wrap the DNA.	Multiple proteins work together to fold and wrap the DNA.
Large ribosomes.	Small ribosomes.

Conclusion

Therefore, it can be concluded that eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells are different from one another and the prime difference is the structure of the two cells.