U P 3

GR O

DIFFERENCE
BETWEEN
PROKARYOTIC AND
EUKARYOTIC CELLS
PROKARYOTIC CELL

A prokaryotic cell is a simple type of cell that doesn’t

have a nucleus or other membrane-bound
organelles. The DNA is floating freely inside the cell.
Prokaryotic cells are usually smaller and found in
organisms like bacteria and archaea. They can still
carry out all basic life functions like growth,
reproduction, and response to the environment, but
in a simpler way compared to more complex cells
(eukaryotic cells).
EUKARYOTIC CELL
A eukaryotic cell is a more complex type of cell that has
a nucleus and other membrane-bound organelles, like
the mitochondria, Golgi apparatus, and endoplasmic
reticulum. The DNA is stored inside the nucleus,
separate from the rest of the cell. Eukaryotic cells are
found in plants, animals, fungi, and protists. They are
larger than prokaryotic cells and are able to carry out
more specialized functions due to their internal
structure.
WHAT IS IT? ENDOMEMBRAN
a series of membranes and organelles in a
eukaryotic cell that work together to
E SYSTEM
modify, package, and transport proteins and
lipids.

HOW IS IT ADAPTED
TO ITS ROLE?

network of membranes that function to

modify, transport, and package proteins
and lipids in the cell.
WHAT IS IT? INTERMEDIATE
Intermediate filaments are a type of
cytoskeletal component found in FILAMENT
eukaryotic cells that have a diameter of
around 8-10 nm. They are characterized
by their intermediate size, being larger
than actin microfilaments but smaller than
microtubules.

HOW IS IT ADAPTED
TO ITS ROLE?
Cells dynamically adjust their network
structure to maintain structural integrity
under mechanical stress, acting as a
"safety belt" with flexibility and stiffness
depending on the type of intermediate
filament protein.
MICROTUBULES WHAT IS IT?
A narrow, hollow tube-like structure found in
the cytoplasm (the fluid inside a cell) of
plant and animal cells.

HOW IS IT ADAPTED
TO ITS ROLE?
icrotubules help support the shape of a
cell. They also help chromosomes move
during cell division and help small
structures called cell organelles to move
inside the cell.
FLAGELLA AND
WHAT IS IT?
CILIA
• are long, hair-like structures that extend
from the plasma membrane and are
used to move an entire cell

HOW IS IT ADAPTED
TO ITS ROLE?
to assist the cell in movement. This
function allows the cell to swim from one
location to a more desirable one by
rotating a rigid filament emerging from the
cell.
CYTOSKELETON WHAT IS IT?
The cytoskeleton is a dynamic network of
protein fibers and structures found within
the cytoplasm of cells.

HOW IS IT ADAPTED
TO ITS ROLE?
The cytoskeleton is a dynamic cellular
framework that provides structural
support, maintains shape, and enables
functions like intracellular transport, cell
motility, and division. It organizes
organelles, withstands mechanical stress,
and facilitates processes like endocytosis,
exocytosis, and signal transduction.
WHAT IS IT? MICROFILAMEN
Microfilaments, also called actin filaments,
are protein filaments in the cytoplasm of TS
eukaryotic cells that form part of the
cytoskeleton. They are primarily
composed of polymers of actin, but are
modified by and interact with numerous
other proteins in the cell.
HOW IS IT ADAPTED
TO ITS ROLE?
Microfilaments are used for structure and
support in the cell. They also are involved
in separating cells during cell division,
allowing for motility and changes in cell
shape.
LYSOSOMES WHAT IS IT?
Lysosomes are like the recycling
centers of a cell. They are small sacs
filled with special enzymes that break
down waste, old cell parts, and harmful
substances.

HOW IS IT ADAPTED
TO ITS ROLE?
The function of lysosomes is to clean up
the cell by breaking down waste, old or
damaged parts, and harmful invaders like
bacteria. They recycle useful materials and
help keep the cell healthy and working
properly.
WHAT IS IT? GOLGI
A stack of small flat sacs formed by
membranes inside the cell's cytoplasm (gel-
APPARATUS
like fluid).

HOW IS IT ADAPTED
TO ITS ROLE?
The main function of Golgi apparatus is to
carry out the processing of proteins
generated in endoplasmic reticulum. Golgi
apparatus also transports protein to the
different parts of cell.
ENDOPLASMIC WHAT IS IT?

RETICULUM The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is a

large, dynamic structure that serves
many roles in the cell including calcium
storage, protein synthesis and lipid
metabolism.

HOW IS IT ADAPTED
TO ITS ROLE?
The rough endoplasmic reticulum has
on it ribosomes, which are small,
round organelles whose function it is
to make those proteins.
WHAT IS IT? PEROXISOME
A peroxisome is a membrane-bound
organelle, a type of microbody, found in the
cytoplasm of virtually all eukaryotic cells.

HOW IS IT ADAPTED
TO ITS ROLE?

A major function of the peroxisome is the

breakdown of very long chain fatty acids
through beta oxidation.
VESICLES AND WHAT IS IT?

VACUOLES Vesicles and vacuoles are like storage

and transport bags in a cell.

HOW IS IT ADAPTED
TO ITS ROLE?
• Vesicles help move things around inside
the cell or to the outside. They carry
proteins, nutrients, and waste to the right
places.
• Vacuoles store things like water, food,
and waste. In plant cells, they help keep
the cell firm by holding water.
WHAT IS IT? RIBOSOME
A ribosome is a complex molecular machine
found inside the living cells that produce
proteins from amino acids during a process
called protein synthesis or translation.

HOW IS IT ADAPTED
TO ITS ROLE?
A ribosome is the cellular machinery
responsible for making proteins.
MITOCHONDRIA WHAT IS IT?

Mitochondria are present only in

eukaryotic cells. Mitochondria are also
known as chondriosome or sarcosome.

HOW IS IT ADAPTED
TO ITS ROLE?
Produce ATP/Site of cellular
WHAT IS IT? CHROMATINE
Chromatin and chromosomes are both
structures in the cell nucleus that contain
AND
CHROMOSOMES
DNA and proteins

HOW IS IT ADAPTED
TO ITS ROLE?

• Chromatin helps store and organize the

cell's genetic information.
• Chromosomes they make sure the DNA
is properly split between the new cells.
NUCLEOLUS WHAT IS IT?

The nucleolus is a small area inside the

nucleus of the cell. It makes ribosomes,
which are tiny factories that help the cell
make proteins.

HOW IS IT ADAPTED
TO ITS ROLE?
is responsible for producing and assembling
ribosomes
WHAT IS IT? NUCLEUS
A nucleus is the membrane-enclosed
organelle within a cell that contains the
chromosomes.

HOW IS IT ADAPTED
TO ITS ROLE?

The nucleus controls and regulates the

activities of the cell (e.g., growth and
metabolism) and carries the genes,
structures that contain the hereditary
information.
NUCLEAR WHAT IS IT?

ENVELOPE The nuclear envelope is like a protective

skin around the nucleus of the cell. It
keeps the DNA inside the nucleus safe
and controls what goes in and out, such
as nutrients and messages.

HOW IS IT ADAPTED
TO ITS ROLE?
The nuclear envelope protects the nucleus
and controls the flow of materials in and out.
It lets things like nutrients and messages
pass in and out, but keeps the DNA safe
inside the nucleus.
E L L S
A N C
H UM

SPECIALIZE
D CELLS
Present in Animal Present in Plant
CELL FUNCTION/FEATURE Present in
Cell? Cell?
Prokaryotes?
COMPONENT
Plasma membrane Separates cell from external environment: controls passage of organic molecules, ion, water, oxygen, and wastes Yes Yes Yes
into and out of cell
Cytoplasm Provides turgor pressure to plant cells as fluid inside the central vacuole, site of many metabolic reactions, medium Yes Yes Yes
in which organelles are found
Nucleolus Contains genetic materials (DNA) No Yes Yes

Nucleus Cell organelle that houses DNA and directs synthesis of ribosomes and proteins No Yes Yes

Ribosome Synthesizes protein Yes Yes Yes

Mitochondria Produce ATP/Site of cellular No Yes Yes

Peroxisomes Oxidize, and thus break down fatty acids and amino acids, and detoxify poisons No Yes Yes

Vesicles and Vacuoles Store and transport; perform digestive function in plant cells No Yes Yes

Centrosome Source of microtubules in animal cells No Yes No

Lysosomes Digestion of macromolecules: recycling of worn-out organelles No Yes No

Cell wall Protects; serves as structural support, and maintains cell shape Yes, primarily
peptidoglycan
No Yes, primarily
cellulose

Chloroplast Contains Chlorophyll No Yes Yes

Endoplasmic reticulum Modifies proteins and synthesizes lipids No Yes Yes

Golgi apparatus Modifies, sorts, tags, packages, and distrib- utes lipids and proteins No Yes Yes

Cytoskeleton Maintains cell's shape, secures organelles in specific positions, allows cytoplasm and vesi cles to move within cell, Yes Yes Yes
and enables cellular organisms to move independently
Central Vacuole Regulates water concentration No No Yes

Flagella Facilitate cellular locomotion Some Some No, except for some
plant sperm cell

Cillia Cellular locomotion, movement of particles along extracellular surface of plasma and filtration Some Some No