Prokaryotes and Eukaryotes are the two fundamental or basic classes of cells. They are mainly distinguished by their size and internal structures. The existence of two classes of cells without any intermediate type represents one of the most fundamental evolutionary separations in the living world. Prokaryotes are structurally and evolutionarily more primitive to eukaryotes. Even though they are two separate classes of living organisms, they share many common characteristics.
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The shared properties reflect the fact that eukaryotic cells most certainly evolved from prokaryotic ancestors. DNA is the genetic information carrier in both the groups(4). Chemical composition of nucleic acids (DNA and RNA), their structure and their organization are similar in both groups(5). Even though the mechanism slightly varies, the process of transcription, translation and DNA replication occurs in both prokaryotes and eukaryotes(6).
Both groups processes regulation of expression of genetic information(7). MRNA acts as the intermediate molecule between genetic information and their expression (as proteins) in both groups(8). Proteins are the expression of genetic information in both groups(9). All the 20 protein coding amino acids are similar in prokaryotes and eukaryotes(10). All the 61 codons are similar in both groups(11). All the tree stop codons (UAA, UAG, UGA) are similar in both groups(12). Structure of tRNA is similar in both groups(13).
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Difference between Prokaryotic cells and Eukaryotic cells Features Prokaryotic cells Eukaryotic cells Cell size Average diameter 0.5-10µm 10-100µm in diameter; usually 1000-10,000 times the volume. Home; Anatomy and Physiology. Control and Coordination; Digestion.
Metabolic pathways such as glycolysis and TCA cycle are similar in both prokaryotes and eukaryotes(14). In both groups, the metabolic pathways are multi-step processes each step catalyzed by specialized proteins called enzymes(15). ATP is the energy currency in both prokaryotes and eukaryotes(16).
ATP is produced by the use of proton (H+) gradient, which is similar in both groups. The major differences between Prokaryotes and Eukaryotes are summarized in the following table.
No.ProkaryotesEukaryotes1‘pro’ = pre, ‘karyon’= nucleus‘eu’ = true, ‘karyo’ = nucleus2Originated about 3.5 billion years agoOriginated about 1.2 billion years ago3Primitive formsAdvanced forms4Usually unicellular organizationUsually multicellular organization5Incipient nucleus, true nucleus absentTrue nucleus present6Small cell size, usually 1 – 10 µmLarger cell size, usually 5 – 100 µm, sometimes very large and macroscopic7Membrane bounded organelles such as nucleus, mitochondria, Golgi bodies, chloroplasts, lysosome, peroxisomes, ER etc. Are absentMembrane bounded organelles present.
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March 2023
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