http://www.expertsmind.com/topic/biology/microbiology-92241.aspx

1. Prokaryotic Cells Vs.
Eukaryotic Cells

2. What’s the difference between
prokaryotes and eukaryotes?
• Prokaryotic cells were here first and for billions
of years were the only form of life on Earth. All
prokaryotic organisms are unicellular
• Eukaryotic cells appeared on earth long after
prokaryotic cells but they are much more
advanced. Eukaryotic organisms unlike
prokaryotic can be unicellular or multicellular.

3. How do the differences line up?
Prokaryotes Eukaryotes
• Organelles lack a • Organelles covered by
membrane a membrane
• Ribosomes are the • Multiple organelles
only organelles including ribosomes
• Genetic material • Membrane covered
floats in the Genetic material
cytoplasm (DNA and
RNA)

4. How do the differences line up?
Prokaryotes Eukaryotes
• Circular DNA • Linear DNA
• Unicellular • May be multicellular or
unicellular
• Cells are samaller in size • Cells are larger in size
• Has larger number of • Has smaller number of
organisms organisms

5. How do the differences line up?
Prokaryotes Eukaryotes
• Appeared 4 billion • Appeared 1 billion
years ago years ago

6. Cell theory
1. All living things are made of cells
2. Cell can only come from other cells
3. All functions of a living thing are carried out in
cells
• Reminder: the functions of living things are:
respiration, metabolism, growth, adaptations
to the environment, reproduction, homeostasis
and interdependence