The differences between eukaryotic cell and prokaryotic cell

The cell is the smallest unit of life, and it is a fundamental component to define ourselves as living beings. Because it is so small in size, it was not discovered until the microscope was invented.

It is from the XIX and XX that he develops the cell theory, which explains that the cell is the unit structure of living things and states that all living things are made up of one or more cells. It is also considered a functional unit, since it carries out all the vital functions (nutrition, relationship and reproduction). Likewise, the cell is the genetic unit, which contains the hereditary material and all come from another pre-existing cell.

In this article you will find explained the main differences between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells, the two main types of cellular life form and whose division is at the trunk of the tree of biological evolution.

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Different types of cells

As we have seen, a cell can be defined as the structural, functional and genetic unit of all living beings, and it can be classified in different ways. Mainly, in prokaryotic (or prokaryotic) and eukaryotic (or eukaryotic) cells. The latter, in turn, can be classified into

animal and plant cells, although also protozoa, algae and fungi are eukaryotic organisms.

The two large groups of cells (prokaryotes and eukaryotes) present similarities and differences. The first are unicellular organisms, which lack a defined or true cell nucleus and in which DNA is scattered throughout the cytoplasm. It's the bacteria. Eukaryotes are organisms composed of cells that have a true nucleus, delimited within a lipid bilayer, and with organized cytoplasm.

• Related article: “Main cell types of the human body”

Differences between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells

There are certain differences between prokaryotic cells and eukaryotic cells, which are a sample of the complexity of evolution. Scientists believe that eukaryotic cells evolved from prokaryotic cells, something that is reflected in their biological structure and way of behaving differently.

But what are these differences? We will see them in the following lines.

1. Core

While eukaryotic cells have a well-defined nucleus with easy-to-identify boundaries, prokaryotes do not. Genetic information is stored inside the nucleus of eukaryotes.; On the other hand, in prokaryotic cells, the genetic material is scattered throughout the interior of the cell, a sign that these forms of life are more primitive and less evolved.

2. Origin

Another of the differences between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells is found in the moment in which each of these forms of life appeared. And it is that, of course, the first representatives of cells were relatively uncomplex and, therefore, their way of life and functioning were those of a prokaryote.

In this sense, it is estimated that prokaryotic cells originate around 3.7 billion years ago; instead, eukaryotic cells 2000 million years.

3. Size

Prokaryotic cells are smaller: between 0.1 and 5.0µm in diameter. Eukaryotes tend to be larger: 10-100µm in diameter.

4. cell organization

Prokaryotic cells usually give rise to single-celled living beings, while eukaryotic cells give rise to living beings. multicellular, in which the genome allows the appearance of several groups of cells specialized in different functions biological.

5. Configuration of genetic material

As we have seen before, the genetic material of eukaryotes is stored in the nucleus; however, in the case of prokaryotic cells, it is scattered throughout the cytoplasm. For this reason, the DNA molecules of prokaryotic cells do not associate with histones (proteins on which The genetic material is "rolled up" to be assembled into more or less compact units, the so-called nucleosomes).

6. Composition of the plasma membrane

In eukaryotic cells, plasma membranes contain sterols. In the case of prokaryotic cells, only in mycoplasmas.

7. Form of genetic material

In prokaryotic cells, DNA is circular. Now, when it comes to eukaryotic cells, DNA is linear and, as previously mentioned, it is associated with histone proteins.

8. number of chromosomes

Prokaryotic cells have only one chromosome. However, eukaryotic cells have multiple chromosomes, each of which contains different stretches of genetic information.

9. plasma membrane

In prokaryotic cells the plasma membrane is composed of peptidoglycan or murein. In the case of eukaryotes, it is made up of phospholipids.

10. organelles

prokaryotic cells presentan inner matrix with non-membranous organelles. Prokaryotic cells present in the cytoplasm membranous organelles (for example, Golgi apparatus).

11. Reproduction

Reproduction in prokaryotic cells occurs by asexual reproduction, by binary fission. In contrast, in eukaryotic cells, reproduction occurs by mitosis and meiosis.

12. Types of living organisms to which they give rise

Prokaryotic cells are bacteria, while prokaryotic cells are part of animals, plants, fungi, protozoa and algae.

Similarities Between Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic Cells

Although prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells are different in many ways, they also have certain similarities. Both contain genetic material, that is, DNA. They have a cell membrane that covers them. Their basic chemical structures are similar, since both are made up of carbohydrates, proteins, nucleic acid, minerals, fats and vitamins.

Both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells contain ribosomes, which make proteins. Both cell types regulate the flow of nutrients and waste matter into and out of cells. They also reproduce, although in different ways. They need energy to survive, they contain cytoplasm inside the cells and a cytoskeleton. Both classes of cells have a lipid bilayer, known as the plasma membrane, which forms the boundary between the inner and outer sides of the cell.

Differences between animal and plant cells

Within the different types of eukaryotic cells we can find animal and plant cells, which despite showing some similarities, are also different in some aspects.

Regarding the shared characteristics, both have a well-defined nucleus, where they house the DNA. They also carry out similar production processes, which include mitosis and meiosis. Cellular respiration is necessary to obtain energy, and they share some cellular components (Golgi apparatus, endoplasmic reticulum, ribosomes, etc.)

In reference to the differences, plant cells store energy in the form of starch, while animal cells do so in the form of glycogen. The former are usually larger than the latter, and tend to have a rectangular shape. Although both have a cell membrane, the cell wall is only present in plant cells, algae, archaea, and fungi. Plant cells are capable of synthesizing all the essential amino acids, something that is not the case with animal cells.