Eukaryotic vs Prokaryotic Cells
Learn the differences between eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells, including their nuclei, genetic material, plasmids and sub-cellular structures.
Eukaryotic cells contain genetic material enclosed inside a nucleus, whereas prokaryotic cells do not have a nucleus. Prokaryotic cells are also much smaller and have fewer sub-cellular structures.
This answer assumes AQA GCSE separate Biology. The content applies to both Foundation and Higher tiers.
What do the terms mean?
- Eukaryotic cells include animal and plant cells.
- Prokaryotic cells are bacterial cells.
- A sub-cellular structure is a structure found inside a cell, such as a nucleus or ribosome.
Key differences
| Feature | Eukaryotic cells | Prokaryotic cells |
|---|---|---|
| Examples | Animal and plant cells | Bacterial cells |
| Nucleus | Present | Absent |
| Genetic material | Enclosed inside the nucleus | A single DNA loop found freely in the cytoplasm |
| Plasmids | Not usually present | May contain one or more plasmids |
| Size | Larger | Much smaller |
| Other structures | Cell membrane, cytoplasm, mitochondria and ribosomes; plant cells may also have chloroplasts and a permanent vacuole | Cytoplasm, cell membrane, cell wall and ribosomes |
Plasmids are small rings of DNA found in some bacterial cells. The main DNA in a bacterial cell is a single loop rather than chromosomes enclosed inside a nucleus.
Worked identification example
A cell has a cell membrane, cytoplasm, a cell wall, ribosomes, a single loop of DNA and several plasmids.
This is a prokaryotic cell because its genetic material is not enclosed in a nucleus. The DNA loop and plasmids also indicate that it is bacterial.
Common exam mistake
Do not say that prokaryotic cells have no DNA. They do contain genetic material, but it is not enclosed inside a nucleus. Also remember that having a cell wall does not automatically mean a cell is prokaryotic: plant cells are eukaryotic and also have a cellulose cell wall.
