Courses
Courses for Kids
Free study material
Offline Centres
More
Store Icon
Store

State the difference between eukaryotes and prokaryotes.

seo-qna
SearchIcon
Answer
VerifiedVerified
441.6k+ views
Hint: Prokaryotes and Eukaryotes are two distinct organism types that have characteristics that are drastically different. Like eukaryotes, prokaryotes do not have membrane-bound organelles. Prokaryotes are bacteria and blue-green algae. Organisms other than blue-green algae and bacteria are called eukaryotes. Examples: fungi, plants, animals, etc.
Complete step by step answer:
ProkaryotesEukaryotes
Prokaryotes are unicellular organisms in natureEukaryotes exist as both unicellular and multicellular organisms
Prokaryotic cell range in the size from $0.2\mu m$ – $2\mu m$ in diameterThe size of Eukaryotic cells ranges from $10\mu m$ – $100\mu m$ in diameter
Prokaryotes lack a well-organized nucleusEukaryotes have a true nucleus surrounded by a nuclear membrane
Permeability of Nuclear membrane is not presentThe permeability of the Nuclear membrane is very selective
Nucleolus is absentNucleolus is present
Organelles such as the endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus, and mitochondria are absentOrganelles such as the endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus, and mitochondria are present
They are submicroscopic in size, flagella are present and it is made up of only one fiberThey are microscopic in size, membrane-bound
Lysosomes and Peroxisomes are absent in prokaryotesLysosomes and Peroxisomes present in eukaryotes
Ribosomes are smallerRibosomes are larger

seo images

Note: As they arrived earlier than the eukaryotes during the course of evolution, prokaryotes are also known as the primitive forms of life. In eukaryotes, sexual reproduction happens although it is absent in prokaryotes. Transcription happens in the cytoplasm in prokaryotes. In the case of eukaryotes, transcription takes place in the nucleus. There is no cytoskeleton in prokaryotes, whereas it is present in eukaryotes. The cell wall is chemically complex in prokaryotes. For eukaryotes, in plants and fungi, the cell wall is present and chemically simpler. Pili and fimbriae in prokaryotes may be present, but in eukaryotes they are absent.