This document outlines the key differences between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. It notes that there are two main types of cells - prokaryotes, which are the simplest life forms and earliest inhabitants of Earth, and eukaryotes, which developed from prokaryotes and include more complex multicellular organisms like animals, plants and fungi. Prokaryotes exist in two kingdoms - bacteria and archaebacteria, which can survive in extreme environments, while eukaryotes are larger and have membrane-bound nuclei and organelles.

1. Prokaryotes
and
Eukaryotes
Notes

2. Two main types of cells…
1.Prokaryotes
2.Eukaryotes

3. The Diversity of Life
Begins with
simple prokaryotic cells
complex eukaryotic cells
Ends with

4. The Six Kingdoms
Prokaryotic Eukaryotic
1. Eubacteria (Monera) 1. Animals
2. Archaebacteria 2. Plants
3. Fungi
4.
Protista

5. Prokaryotes
(pro = before, karyote = nucleus
 before there was a nucleus)
• The Earth’s first living things
• The simplest life forms exhibiting
(showing) cellular structures
• The Earth’s most abundant inhabitants

6. Prokaryotes
• Prokaryotes can survive in a wide range of
environments
– can withstand extreme temperatures
– extreme pH levels
– can live in areas of no oxygen or no water
• obtain their energy in a variety of ways
-some can make their own food
(autotrophs)
-some have to find their food
(heterotrophs)

7. Archaebacteria

8. Hot Spring (Yellowstone National Park)

9. Hot Spring (Yellowstone National
Park)

10. Boiling Mudpot: Lassen Volcanic
National Park, California

11. Volcano

12. Antarctica

13. Prokaryotes
Prokaryotic cells exist in two major kingdom:
– Eubacteria (Monera)
• Most of the common bacteria
that are found everywhere
– Archaebacteria (archae=ancient or
old)
• Ancient bacteria that
live in very extreme conditions only
found in certain places on Earth.

14. Eukaryotes
(eu = true, karyote = nucleus 
they have a real or true nucleus)
• Eukaryotes arose from prokaryotes
and developed into larger and more complex
organisms.
• Examples include some unicellular protists
to multicellular fungi, plants, and animals.
• HINT: Remember YOU are a
EUKARYOTE!

15. Age
• Prokaryotes: Older- 3.5 billion yrs
• Eukaryotes: Younger- 1.5 billion yrs

16. Cell Size
• Prokaryotes: very,VERY small
• Eukaryotes: very small to large

17. Covering around genetic material
and other cell parts
• Prokaryotes: no membrane
covering around the genetic
material (DNA) and other cell parts
• No Nucleus
• Eukaryotes:
– membrane-bound nucleus (with
DNA) and other membrane-bound cell
parts.

18. Cell parts
• Prokaryotes:
–Only a few types of cell parts
–Simple
• Eukaryotes:
–Many different cell parts
–Complex