Prokaryotes vs. Eukaryotes

Every cell on our planet is either a prokaryotic or a eukaryotic cell. There are many differences between the two cell types. The table on this page highlights just a few of the main differences.

A prokaryotic cell and a eukaryotic cell

Prokaryotes		Eukaryotes
Small cell size (0.2 - 2 um)		Large cell size (10 - 100 um)
Nucleus absent		Nucleus present
Membrane-bound organelles absent		Membrane-bound organelles present
DNA in circular chromosomes		DNA in linear chromosomes
Cell division by binary fission		Cell division by mitosis and meiosis

Bacteria and microbes from the group Archaea are prokaryotes. All other life, including plants, animals, fungus, and amoebas, are eukaryotes. The eukaryotic cell shown above on the right is representative of an animal cell.

Additional images via Wikimedia Commons. Prokaryotic cell by LadyofHats.

Bibliographic details:

Article: Prokaryotes vs. Eukaryotes
Author(s): Dr. Biology
Publisher: Arizona State University School of Life Sciences Ask A Biologist
Site name: ASU - Ask A Biologist
Date published: 24 Feb, 2016
Date accessed:
Link: https://askabiologist.asu.edu/prokaryotes-vs-eukaryotes

APA Style

Dr. Biology. (Wed, 02/24/2016 - 12:01). Prokaryotes vs. Eukaryotes. ASU - Ask A Biologist. Retrieved from https://askabiologist.asu.edu/prokaryotes-vs-eukaryotes

American Psychological Association. For more info, see http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/10/

Chicago Manual of Style

Dr. Biology. "Prokaryotes vs. Eukaryotes". ASU - Ask A Biologist. 24 Feb 2016. https://askabiologist.asu.edu/prokaryotes-vs-eukaryotes

For more info, see http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/717/04/

MLA 2017 Style

Dr. Biology. "Prokaryotes vs. Eukaryotes". ASU - Ask A Biologist. 24 Feb 2016. ASU - Ask A Biologist, Web. https://askabiologist.asu.edu/prokaryotes-vs-eukaryotes

Modern Language Association, 7th Ed. For more info, see http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/747/08/

Plant cells are a type of eukaryotic cell.

Cells Living in Cells

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