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Introduction to Eukaryotic & Prokaryotic Cells

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Eukaryotic vs Prokaryotic Cells

All life on Earth exists as cells. A cell is the smallest unit of a living thing. All cells can be grouped into either eukaryotic or prokaryotic cells. These different categories have similarities and differences.

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Similarities

  • Both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells contain organelles.
  • The cell-surface membrane in eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells is made of a phospholipid bilayer.
    • This bilayer is responsible for controlling the passage of substances across exchange surfaces.
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Differences

  • Prokaryotic cells make up single-celled prokaryotic organisms (e.g. bacteria). In contrast, eukaryotic cells make up complex eukaryotic organisms (e.g. animals, plants, fungi and algae).
  • Eukaryotic cells are larger and more complex than prokaryotic cells.
  • Cells arise from other cells by binary fission in prokaryotic cells and by mitosis or meiosis in eukaryotic cells.
  • Prokaryotic cells do not have membrane-bound organelles
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Types of Eukaryotic Cells

Eukaryotic cells have similar structures across different types of organisms. But there are some key differences that are outlined here.

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Animal cell

  • Most animal cells have the following organelles:
    • Mitochondria.
    • Ribosomes.
    • Endoplasmic reticulum (ER).
    • Golgi.
    • Lysosomes.
    • Nucleus.
  • Animal cells are enclosed by a cell membrane.
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Plant cell

  • Plant cells contain all the organelles found in animal cells.
  • Plant cells also possess:
    • Vacuole (a repository of cell sap).
    • Chloroplasts (the site of photosynthesis).
    • Cell wall (made of cellulose and contains plasmodesmata, through which cells exchange substances with each other).
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Algal cells

  • Algal cells and plant cells have an identical set of organelles.
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Fungal cells

  • Fungal cells are similar to plant cells, apart from:
    • There are no chloroplasts in fungal cells.
    • The cell walls of fungal cells are made from chitin instead of cellulose.
    • They can be multicellular.

Jump to other topics

1Cell Structure

2Biological Molecules

3Enzymes

4Cell Membranes & Transport

5The Mitotic Cell Cycle

6Nucleic Acids & Protein Synthesis

7Transport in Plants

8Transport in Mammals

9Gas Exchange

10Infectious Diseases

11Immunity

12Energy & Respiration (A2 Only)

13Photosynthesis (A2 Only)

14Homeostasis (A2 Only)

15Control & Coordination (A2 Only)

16Inherited Change (A2 Only)

17Selection & Evolution (A2 Only)

18Classification & Conservation (A2 Only)

19Genetic Technology (A2 Only)

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