Differences between Prokaryotes and Eukaryotes

What is Prokaryote?

A single-celled organism without nucleus and other organelles with membranes. Prokaryotes are derived in the Greek pro (pro”pre” – meaning “before”) and the word karuon (karyon, meaning ‘nut’ or “kernel”). In the two-empire model that resulted in the works of Edouard Chatton, prokaryotes were classified as part of the Empire of Prokaryota. However, in the three-domain system that is based on molecular analysis, prokaryotes are divided into two domains: Bacteria (formerly Eubacteria) and Archaea (formerly Archaebacteria). Organisms with nuclei are put in the third domain, Eukaryota. When studying the evolutionary origins of life prokaryotes are believed to have ascended before Eukaryotes.

Apart from the lack of a nucleus prokaryotes are also devoid of mitochondria, or other organelles bound to membranes that define the eukaryotic cells, and it was thought previously that prokaryotic cells’ components inside the cytoplasm were not enclosed, with the exception of the cell’s outer membrane. However, microcompartments of bacterial origin that are believed to have been simple organelles encased in protein shells have been found as well as various other organelles found in prokaryotes. While they’re typically monocellular, some prokaryotes like cyanobacteria, can make large colonies. Some, like myxobacteria have multicellular stages during their life cycle. Prokaryotes reproduce without the fusion of gametes but horizontal gene transfer also occurs.

The study of molecular biology has provided insights into the development and interrelationships among the three realms of life. The separation between prokaryotes as well as Eukaryotes is due to their existence at two different levels of cell organization. the only cells that are eukaryotic have an enveloped nucleus which houses its chromosomal DNA as well as other distinct membrane-bound organelles, including mitochondria. Prokaryotes that are distinct from other types include methanogens and extremophiles. These are prevalent in extreme conditions.

What is Eukaryotes?

Eukaryotes are living creatures whose cells contain a nucleus that is enclosed in the nuclear envelope. Eukaryotes fall under the realm of Eukaryota or Eukarya Their name comes from the Greek Eukaryota (eu, “well” or “good”) and Karuon (karyon, “nut” or “kernel”). The domain Eukaryota is just one domain of life. archaea and bacteria (the prokaryotes) are the two other domains. Eukaryotes are generally thought of as having evolved in the Archaea or as a cousin of the more cultivated Asgard archaea. Eukaryotes are a tiny fraction of the total number of organisms, but due to their generally greater size and size global biomass is believed at around the prokaryotes. Eukaryotes began to appear around 2.1-1.7 billion years ago in their Proterozoic eon, probably being flagellated, phagotrophs.

Eukaryotic cells usually contain additional membrane-bound organelles, like mitochondria, Golgi apparatus, and chloroplasts are found in both algae and plants. Prokaryotic cells can include primitive organelles. Eukaryotes could be multicellular or unicellular, and contain a range of cell types that create different kinds of tissues. In contrast, prokaryotes are typically unicellular. Animals, plants, as well as mushrooms are the most commonly known Eukaryotes. Others are often referred to as protists.

Eukaryotes reproduce asexually via mitosis as well as sexually via meiosis as well as gamete fusion. Mitosis occurs when one cell divides and produces two identical genetically-identical cells. In meiosis, DNA replication occurs followed by two cycles of cell division to create four haploid cells. They are gametes, or sex cells. Each gamete has only 1 set of chromosomes each one a distinct mix of the respective parent chromosome pair, resulting from meiosis-induced genetic recombination.

Differences between Prokaryotes and Eukaryotes – Prokaryotes vs Eukaryotes