Difference between prokaryotes and eukaryotes
What does your text say?
Have you Googled them?
Prokaryotes: A microscopic single-celled organism that has neither a distinct nucleus with a membrane nor other specialized organelles. Prokaryotes include the bacteria and cyanobacteria.
Eukaryotes: An organism whose cells contain a nucleus surrounded by a membrane and whose DNA is bound together by proteins into chromosomes.
I have well I just did...
Lyn -- that was nice of you, but you're implying that Amy is too dumb to find it for herself.
Besides, you learned something, but didn't give Amy the opportunity to learn it.
O sorry I did not think about it that way sorry about that...
The key difference between prokaryotes and eukaryotes lies in the complexity of their cell structure. Here is an explanation of how to understand this difference:
1. Cell Structure:
- Prokaryotes: Prokaryotic cells are simpler and do not have a nucleus or other membrane-bound organelles. Their genetic material, typically a single circular DNA molecule, floats freely in the cytoplasm. They lack internal compartments, except for some basic structures like ribosomes.
- Eukaryotes: Eukaryotic cells are more complex and contain membrane-bound organelles, including a nucleus where genetic material is enclosed. Eukaryotic cells have various specialized organelles, such as mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus, and more.
2. Size:
- Prokaryotes: Prokaryotic cells are generally smaller, typically ranging from 0.1 to 5 micrometers.
- Eukaryotes: Eukaryotic cells are larger, averaging around 10 to 100 micrometers.
3. Genetic Material:
- Prokaryotes: Prokaryotes have a single circular chromosome, often referred to as the nucleoid region. They may also have smaller, circular pieces of DNA called plasmids.
- Eukaryotes: Eukaryotes have linear chromosomes stored inside the nucleus. They typically possess multiple chromosomes.
4. Reproduction:
- Prokaryotes: Prokaryotes reproduce asexually by binary fission, where the cell replicates its genetic material and divides into two identical daughter cells.
- Eukaryotes: Eukaryotes can reproduce both sexually and asexually. Sexual reproduction involves the fusion of gametes, while asexual reproduction methods vary among different organisms.
5. Examples:
- Prokaryotes: Bacteria and archaea are prokaryotes.
- Eukaryotes: Protists, fungi, plants, and animals are eukaryotes.
To differentiate between prokaryotes and eukaryotes, you can examine factors like cell structure, size, genetic material, reproduction methods, and specific examples.