Difference between Eukaryotes and Prokaryotes

There are two main types of cells in living organisms: eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells. Both types of cells have similarities and differences in their structure, function, and organization. In this answer, we will discuss the difference between eukaryotes and prokaryotes.

Definition
- Eukaryotes: These are complex cells that have a true nucleus and membrane-bound organelles.
- Prokaryotes: These are simple cells that lack a true nucleus and membrane-bound organelles.

Size and Shape
- Eukaryotes: These cells are larger in size and have a more complex shape with a variety of membrane-bound organelles.
- Prokaryotes: These cells are smaller in size and have a simpler shape, usually being spherical, rod-shaped, or spiral.

Nucleus
- Eukaryotes: These cells have a true nucleus that is enclosed by a nuclear membrane. The DNA is organized into chromosomes and is located in the nucleus.
- Prokaryotes: These cells lack a true nucleus and their DNA is found in a region called the nucleoid, which is not enclosed by a membrane.

Membrane-bound Organelles
- Eukaryotes: These cells have membrane-bound organelles such as mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus, lysosomes, and chloroplasts.
- Prokaryotes: These cells lack membrane-bound organelles and have only ribosomes, cytoplasm, plasma membrane, and cell wall.

Cytoskeleton
- Eukaryotes: These cells have a cytoskeleton made up of microtubules, microfilaments, and intermediate filaments which provides support, shape, and movement to the cell.
- Prokaryotes: These cells lack a cytoskeleton and have a simpler internal structure.

Reproduction
- Eukaryotes: These cells reproduce through mitosis and meiosis, which involves the division of the nucleus and the distribution of chromosomes to daughter cells.
- Prokaryotes: These cells reproduce through binary fission, which involves the division of the cell into two identical daughter cells.

Conclusion
In conclusion, eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells have many differences in their structure, function, and organization. Eukaryotic cells are more complex and have a true nucleus and membrane-bound organelles, while prokaryotic cells are simpler and lack a true nucleus and membrane-bound organelles.

Prokaryotes are cells which have not true nucleus the genetic material are just lying in the cytoplasm while eukaryotes have true nucleas bounded with nuclear membrane and have nucleoplasm.