Difference between Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic cell

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Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic cells are the two types of cells that exist in nature. Prokaryotic cell is a unicellular organism or a single-celled bacterium while a eukaryotic cell is an organism consisting of many cells, each with its own nucleus and organelles. Prokaryotic organisms are different from eukaryotes in many ways including their genetic organisation, energy production, life cycle and membrane composition among others. They are also found to be smaller than eukaryotes both in size and number. This article will reveal more about prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells with some information on the differences between them as well as other differences between them.

What are Prokaryotic Cells?

Prokaryotic cell is the most commonly used term to describe the single-celled organisms that exist in nature. They are not as complex as eukaryotic cells like vertebrate and multicellular organisms, however, they are vital components of all life on earth due to their metabolisms. Prokaryotic cells are also called bacteria or prokaryotes. Etymology of the name probiotic translates to “good for”. It was named so because it produces helpful substances in large amounts such as vitamins and proteins that benefit other organisms in the environment.

Functions of Prokaryotic Cells

Prokaryotes are found to be essential in nature due to their metabolisms and function. Their functions include:

Photosynthesis: They are found to produce oxygen, a component of chlorophyll, which is an essential part of photosynthesis. This helps other organisms including plants and animals to survive by producing energy and lifespan. The NADPH that they produce which is involved in the reduction of molecular formaldehyde is used in the process of fixation of nitrogen compounds at the expense of carbon compounds.

Digestion: They are capable of digesting polysaccharides, such as starch. This process helps them break down complex organic molecules into simpler ones using enzymes called beta-glucuronidase or beta-glucosidase. This enzyme is present in the bacterial cell and is a vital part of the digestion process in bacteria.

Respiration: They are also found to aid other organisms by providing energy during respiration. This helps other organisms such as plants and animals to survive. They are found to produce this energy through the process of oxidation of food materials by means of photosynthesis.

Habitat: Prokaryotic cells are found to be essential in their habitats and play an important role because they provide essential nutrients such as nitrogen, carbon, phosphorus, and oxygen which can be used by many different kinds of organisms for survival.

What are Eukaryotic Cells?

Eukaryotic cells are advanced forms of prokaryotes that have nuclei and organelles enclosed within the membrane. Eukaryotic cells are mostly larger than prokaryotic cells and contain more complex structures like organelles. They are also classified into two main types – plant and animal cells. The size of eukaryotic cells varies based on their type. 

For example, the typical eukaryotic cell maybe 30-100 micrometres in size while the smallest eukaryotic cell is a rotifer having a width as small as 1 micrometre.

Functions of Eukaryotic Cells

Eukaryotic cells are found to be essential in nature due to their metabolisms and functions. Some of the functions they perform include:

Production of energy: The most important role of a eukaryotic cell is to produce energy within the process of aerobic respiration. This process happens through the movement of electrons from reduced substances like glucose or fatty acids to oxygen.

Fertilisation: Eukaryotic cells play a vital role in the process of fertilisation. During the process, a sperm cell will join with an egg cell in order to reproduce.

Prokaryotic Cells and Eukaryotic cells: Difference 

1) Prokaryotic cells are unicellular, while eukaryotic cells are multicellular.

2) Prokaryotic cells have one membrane, while eukaryotic cells have two membranes.

3) Prokaryotic cell is a bacterium, while a eukaryotic cell is an organism consisting of many cells.

4) Prokaryotic cells are smaller than eukaryotic cells both in size and number.

5) Eukaryotes can turn into prokaryotes if conditions demand it to do so. This is called “bacterialisation”. This is also known as “conversion” or “transformation” but this process does not occur in prokaryotes.

6) The most common components of prokaryotic cells are peptidoglycan and cytochrome. The most common components of eukaryotic cells are mitochondria and endoplasmic reticulum.

7) Some of the most important reactions in prokaryotic cells are:

Photosynthesis – nitrogen fixation

Oxidation of food materials by means of photosynthesis

Respiration – glucose oxidation in a process called aerobic respiration

8) Some of the most important reactions in eukaryotic cells are:

Photosynthesis – respiration

Respiration – oxygen fixation by means of photosynthesis

9) Prokaryotic cells use enzymes to process nutrients. Enzymes used by eukaryotic cells are called proteases.

10) Many prokaryotic cells have DNA as their genetic material. Eukaryotic cell does not have DNA as their genetic material. This is because a bacterial cell has a single chromosome, which is not present in eukaryotic cells and can be found only in bacterial cells called bacterium nuclei.

Conclusion

Although both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells have their own importance in nature; eukaryotic cells are found to be a more complex and advanced form of prokaryotes. Prokaryotes only require simple conditions to survive, while in eukaryotes we find complicated structures like the nucleus, mitochondria, ribosomes, endoplasmic reticulum and chloroplasts. However, the prokaryotes help the existence of our planet by producing oxygen through photosynthesis.

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