OVERVIEW OF PROKARYOTES AND EUKARYOTES

On Earth, there are two major types of cells: prokaryotic and eukaryotic. Prokaryotic cells are the
simplest and most ancient types of cells. They were the only form of life on Earth for billions of years
before eventually giving rise to eukaryotic cells. If you take a look at prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells
side by side, you can see a number of differences. To begin with, prokaryotic cells are a lot smaller than
eukaryotic cells and have a simpler structure. But bear in mind that this simple structure is actually a good
thing for prokaryotes, because it allows them to reproduce very quickly and very effectively.

If you were to look inside a prokaryotic cell, you would probably be surprised at how simple it is. For example,
prokaryotic cells lack a nucleus. In fact, the name “prokaryote” actually gives you a hint about its structure. “kary”
means “kernel” or “nucleus” and “pro” means before. So basically, the word “prokaryote” means “before nucleus.” The
inside of the prokaryotic cell is basically an open unit with no compartments. There are no membrane-bound organelles.
However, small structures called ribosomes are scattered throughout its cytoplasm. The cell’s DNA is located in a region
of the cytoplasm called the nucleoid region. The nucleoid region is not the same thing as a nucleus because it’s not
enclosed by a membrane. Prokaryotes also have a cell wall that surrounds the plasma membrane. The composition of the
cell wall depends on whether the cell is an archaea or a bacteria, but basically it consists of complex polysaccharides.
Prokaryotes also often possess one or more flagella, which are used for movement. In contrast, eukaryotic cells contain a
membrane-bound nucleus and other membrane-bound organelles. The name “eukaryote” also gives a hint about its
structure. “eu” means true- and remember that “kary” means nucleus, so in essence the word “eukaryote” means “true
nucleus.”

Eukaryotic cells are larger and much more complicated than prokaryotic cells. However, they do share a few things in
common with prokaryotes. Let’s take a look at a Venn Diagram to compare prokaryotes to eukaryotes, and to also see
what areas they have in common. Let’s start with their commonalities: Both prokaryotes and eukaryotes: Have DNA as
their genetic material, have ribosomes, have cytoplasm, and have a plasma membrane.

Now let’s look at some of the ways they differ: Prokaryotic cells are the oldest type of cell. They are small and relatively
simple. Eukaryotic cells evolved from prokaryotic cells later. They are larger and much more complex internally.
Prokaryotes lack both a nucleus and membrane-bound organelles. Eukaryotic cells have a nucleus, and also contain
organelles. Prokaryotes are single-celled organisms. Eukaryotes can be either single-celled or multicellular. And finally,
the DNA of a prokaryote is usually organized as a single, circular chromosome, while the DNA of a eukaryote is organized
as linear chromosomes.

This can be compared to a studio-type of a condominium unit because of the lack of compartments. Prokaryotic organisms
are metabolically diverse because they can utilize different nutrients and energy sources and they can inhabit all types of
environments on Earth. All bacteria that include the organisms of domains Archaea and Bacteria are considered as
prokaryotes.

This is comparable to a mansion which has several rooms or compartments. Domain Eukarya, which includes protists,
fungi, plants, and animals, is eukaryotic.

A prokaryotic cell is a type of cell that does not have a nucleus and membrane-bound organelles within its
cytoplasm. This type of cell is like a studio-type condo unit that does not have several compartments.
Prokaryotes are small, single-celled organisms that have prokaryotic cells. These organisms are
metabolically diverse because they can utilize different nutrients and energy sources and they can inhabit
all types of environments on Earth. All bacteria that include the organisms of domains Archaea and
Bacteria are considered as prokaryotes.

The other type of cell that is characterized by the presence of nucleus and membrane-bound organelles
within its cytoplasm is called a eukaryotic cell. Membrane-bound organelles of eukaryotic cells provide
compartmentalization in the cell. This is comparable to a mansion that has several rooms or
compartments. Domain Eukarya which includes protists, fungi, plants, and animals are examples of
eukaryotes. Eukaryotes are organisms that consist of eukaryotic cells.
Cells are classified into two types: prokaryotic cell and eukaryotic cell. Prokaryotic cells are found in prokaryotic
organisms while eukaryotic cells are found in eukaryotic organisms. Examples of prokaryotes are Archaeans and
Bacteria. Examples of eukaryotes are plants, animals, fungi, and protists. Prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells vary in terms
of presence of nucleus, endomembrane system, cell wall and cell membrane, ribosome, shape of DNA and number of
chromosomes, cell size, DNA replication, transcription and translation, and mode of reproduction.

Explanation: so ‘yung eukaryotic cells p’wede silang unicellular or multicellular, eukaryotes are
multicellular since sila nagccarry ng body functions, kapag kasi multicellular marami siyang cells na
needed para pang break-down ng nutrients. ‘Yung prokaryotic cells naman unicellular lang sila forever
kasi one single cell lang sila like bacterias and archaea. Unicellular sila dahil sa structure niya kasi wala
silang nucleus and iba pang organelles.

Eukaryotic cells are considered multicellular naman kasi may membrane-bound organelles, ‘yung
membrane bound organelles naman they allow cellular processes to be carried out efficiently. Unlike sa
prokaryotes, hindi sila membrane bound, hindi porque na may plasma membrane sila, membrane bound
na sila, it is simply because they have no internal membrane sa cytoplasm.

Explanation: ‘yung prokaryotic, mac-compare siya sa condo since ‘di ba kapag condo konti lang ‘yung
units then kapag eukaryotes para siyang mansion since marami siyang rooms.

CELL WALL

The cell wall and the cell membrane share some functions in both prokaryotes and eukaryotes. The cell wall provides
shape and rigidity to the cell, and the cell membrane provides protection and plays an important role in the transport of
materials.

The cell wall provides shape and rigidity to the cell (and the cell membrane provides protection and plays an
important role in the transport of materials). However, the cell wall is present in almost all prokaryotic cells,
but not in most eukaryotic cells (these are not found in animals and most protists). Structurally, the cell
wall of prokaryotes is made up of peptidoglycan – a complex sugar (polysaccharide) and a few amino
acids. In eukaryotes, it is either made up of cellulose as in plants and chitin in fungi.

Eukaryotes: present in most eukaryotic cells (these are not found in animals and most protists). Cell wall is either made up
of cellulose as in plants and chitin in fungi.

Prokaryotes: present in almost all prokaryotic cells. Cell wall is made up of peptidoglycan.

Explanation: Lahat ng prokaryotes may cell wall, pero hindi lahat ng eukaryotes meron gaya ng animal
cells, according to aat bioquest, the presence of a cell wall would make it difficult or even impossible for
animals to move. Animal cells are enclosed in a more flexible cell membrane, which provides the
optimum combination of strength, support, and flexibility.

CELL SIZE

Prokaryotic cells are smaller compared to eukaryotic cells. Typical prokaryotic cells can range from 0.1 to
5μm (micrometer) in diameter while eukaryotic cells are typically 10 to 100μm in diameter. Despite their
larger size compared to prokaryotic cells, eukaryotic cells can still perform metabolic activities efficiently
due to the compartmentalization of cellular parts as discussed previously.

Relative sizes of bacteria (prokaryote), plant cell (eukaryote), and animal cell (eukaryote)

Prokaryotes are unicellular or are made up of only one cell. On the other hand, eukaryotes
are either unicellular or multicellular. Most protists and yeast are unicellular eukaryotes.
Plants, animals, most fungi and some protists are multicellular eukaryotes. Multicellular
organisms are composed of more than one cell.

Explanation: When it comes to cell size, it is said na mas smaller in size yung prokaryotes which also
means na invisible siya sa naked eye or most of them can only be seen under a light microscope. Since it
is small in size, it allows the ions and organic molecules na mag-enter and mag spread sa other parts ng
cell, similarly sa mga waste produced within the prokaryotic cell na ma-easily move out.

Based on the previous discussions we have, it is said na the surface area of the bigger cells become
inadequate for exchange of material that their volume requires. However, despite sa larger size nila
compared sa prokaryotic cells, nakakapag-perform pa din yung eukaryotic cells ng metabolic activities
efficiently dahil sa compartmentalization of cellular parts. (meaning yung cell is divided into different
compartments using membrane-bounded organelles and internal membrane; mitochondria, chloroplast,
lysosomes, perixosomes, vacuoles, vesicles, nucleus, endoplasmic, golgi; regulates the passage of
nutrients and information in and out of cytoplasm).

MODE OF REPRODUCTION

Most prokaryotic cells reproduce through binary fission and some reproduce through spores. Binary
fission is a process of reproduction wherein one cell is divided into two new cells.

Explanation: Sa prokaryotic cells, it comes in the form of binary fission which is an asexual reproduction.
Basically, it happens when a bacteria clones itself. In simple words, yung chromosome sa prokaryotes is
nage-exist as single cell, and nagd-duplicate or replicate ito na nagr-result sa new organisms, which only
has a similar copy of that old DNA. This process is less complicated and much quicker than in eukaryotes
since yung speed ng pag-grow ng bacteria is very rapid. In addition, spores can also be involved in
production in the prokaryotic cells. Yung spores is nagf-form siya sa loob ng prokaryotic cells as a
response sa adverse conditions. Yung bacterial spore, nagp-provide siya ng multilayer structure to defend
themselves and nagp-produce lang siya ng isang spore, and each spore is nagd-develop lang sa one cell.
Usually, meron silang thick walls na kaya magresist ng environmental conditions or maprotectahan yung
bacterium.