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Major Differences between Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic Cells

by Pharmapproach
March 22, 2020
in Pharmaceutical Microbiology
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Microorganisms are ubiquitous. They can be found in air, water, soil, inside and on the surfaces of plants, animals and humans. They live in a variety of habitats and under a wide variety of environmental conditions.  Microorganisms vary principally in their morphology and, depending on the degree of structural complexity are broadly classified as prokaryotes and eukaryotes.

Contents

  • 1 Prokaryotes
    • 1.1 Prokaryotic cell structures and functions
  • 2 Eukaryotes
    • 2.1 Eukaryotic cell structures and functions
  • 3 Differences between Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic Cells
  • 4 References

Prokaryotes

The word “prokaryotes” also spelled “procaryotes” is coined from two Greek words pro, before, and karyon, nut or kernel. It is used to describe unicellular (single-celled) organisms that lack true nucleus and membrane-bound cell organelles. This means that the genetic material in prokaryotes is not bound within a nucleus.

Prokaryotes are divided into two domains, bacteria and archaea. Bacteria used to be considered as the only category of prokaryotic cells, but in 1990 a second group, the archaea, were recognized as having equal status to bacteria.

Archaea tend to live in harsh environmental conditions (such as high temperatures, extremes pH or salinity etc.) and often possess unusual modes of metabolism. All other organisms including humans have the eukaryotic structure with relatively more complex architecture.

Differences between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells: Picture of prokaryotic cell
Prokaryotic cell (Source: www.courses.lumenlearning.com)

Prokaryotic cell structures and functions

Capsules and slime layersResistance to phagocytosis, adherence to surfaces
Cell wallGives bacteria shape and protection from lysis in dilute solutions
EndosporeSurvival under harsh environmental conditions
Fimbriae and piliAttachment to surfaces, bacterial mating
FlagellaProvides the power of motility or self-propulsion
Gas vacuoleBuoyancy for floating in aquatic environments.
Inclusion bodiesStorage of carbon, phosphate, and other substances
NucleoidLocalization of genetic material (DNA)
Periplasmic spaceContains hydrolytic enzymes and binding proteins for nutrient processing and uptake’
Plasma membraneSelectively permeable barrier, mechanical boundary of cell, nutrient and waste transport, location of many metabolic processes (respiration, photosynthesis), detection of environmental cues for chemotaxis
RibosomesProtein synthesis

Read Also: Microorganisms of Pharmaceutical Interest

Eukaryotes

Eukaryotes (eucaryotes) are organisms made up of cells that possess a membrane-bound nucleus. Just like prokaryotes, the word “eukaryotes” is derived from two Greek words eu, true, and karyon, nut or kernel.

A typical eukaryotic cell is surrounded by a plasma membrane and contains many different structures and organelles with a variety of functions. The major groups of microorganisms (fungi, protozoa and algae), as well as parasitic worms and mites, and all plants and animals up to and including humans all belong to this group.

Viruses do not have a cellular structure and so some scientists do not even regard them as living but merely mixtures of complex chemicals; nevertheless, they are indisputably agents of infection and for that reason are usually considered as part of the microbial world.

Differences between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells: Picture of Eukaryotic cell
Eukaryotic cell (Source: www.biologydictionary.net)

Eukaryotic cell structures and functions

Cell wall and pellicleStrengthen and give shape to the cell
ChloroplastsPhotosynthesis—trapping light energy and formation of carbohydrate from CO2 and water
Cilia and flagellaCell movement
Cytoplasmic matrixEnvironment for other organelles, location of many metabolic processes
Endoplasmic reticulumTransport of materials, protein and lipid synthesis
Golgi apparatusPackaging and secretion of materials for  various purposes, lysosome formation
LysosomesIntracellular digestion
Microfilaments, intermediate filaments, and microtubulesCell structure and movements, form the cytoskeleton
MitochondriaEnergy production through use of the tricarboxylic acid cycle, electron transport, oxidative phosphorylation, and other pathways
NucleolusRibosomal RNA synthesis, ribosome construction
NucleusRepository for genetic information, control centre for cell
Plasma membraneMechanical cell boundary, selectively permeable barrier with transport systems, mediates cell-cell interactions and adhesion to surfaces, secretion
RibosomesProtein synthesis
VacuoleTemporary storage and transport, digestion (food vacuoles), water balance (contractile vacuole)

Differences between Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic Cells

The various differences between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells are listed in the table below.

CharacteristicProkaryoteEukaryote
SizeTypically 1 – 5  µmNormally greater than 10  µm
Cell nucleusDo not possess a true nucleusHave a nucleus surrounded by a nuclear membrane
Location of chromosomesIn the cytoplasm, usually attached to the cell membraneWithin a true nucleus separated from the cytoplasm by a nuclear membrane
Nuclear division and reproductionMitosis and meiosis are
absent so reproduction is asexual
Exhibit both mitosis and
meiosis, so reproduction may be sexual or asexual or both
depending on species
NucleolusAbsentPresent
Genetic variationResulting largely from mutationsResulting both from mutations and the creation of new gene combinations during sexual
reproduction
Mitochondria, chloroplasts and ribosomesMitochondria and chloroplasts
absent; ribosome size is 70s
Mitochondria and chloroplasts may be present; ribosomes larger: 80s
Chemical compositionDo not possess sterols in the cell membrane but do
usually have peptidoglycan in
the cell walls
Do possess sterols in the
cell membrane but no
peptidoglycan in the walls
FlagellaStructurally simpleStructurally complex
PiliPresentAbsent
Storage compoundsPoly -β- hydroxybutyrate often presentPoly -β- hydroxybutyrate absent

References

  • Denyer, S., Hodges, N., Gorman, S. and Gilmore, S. (2011). Hugo and Russell’s Pharmaceutical Microbiology. UK: Blackwell Publishing Ltd.
  • Ezeonu, I., Okafor, J. and Ogbonna, J. (2011). Laboratory Exercise in Microbiology: A Practical Manual for Students of Tertiary Institutions. Nigeria: Ephrata Printing and Publishing Company.
  • Hanlon, G. and Hodges, N. (2013). Essential Microbiology for Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Science. UK: John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
  • Okore, V. (2009). Principles of Pharmaceutical Microbiology (2nd ed.). Nigeria: Ephrata Publishers.

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