Division Between Prokaryotic And Eukaryotic Cells

Prokaryotic: (single cell)The plasma membrane encloses the cell, regulating the traffic of materials into and out of the cell, and separating its interior from the external environment.

Prokaryotic cells do not have a nucleus. The chromosomes which are found in prokaryotes are usually spread in the cytoplasm. In eukaryotic cells the chromosomes remain together inside the nucleus and there is a clear nuclear membrane that is surrounding the nucleus.

Structure and function in Biology is a broad concept that can be explored within a diverse range of topics across the subject matter. The following essay will be focussed mainly on the subject of Deoxyribonucleic Acid, or more commonly DNA. DNA is a highly complex, intricate and extraordinary macromolecule found within all living cells. DNA is a "biochemical noun" and can be defined as "...a self-replicating material which is present in nearly all living organisms as the main constituent of chromosomes. It is the carrier of genetic information." [Oxford Dictionary, c2016] DNA is found in the nucleus of eukaryotic cells, enclosed within a double membrane. Eukaryotic cells are multifaceted and require a high level of regulation to ensure smooth functioning. The double membrane of the nucleus allows gene expression, a key function of DNA, to be efficiently regulated.

Bacteria are prokaryotic, and if you were to observe the two cells under a light microscope, you could distinguish their differences. The biggest distinguishment you can make while carefully observing the two cells, is the lack of a nucleus in a prokaryotic cell as compared to a eukaryotic. Prokaryotes also lack any membrane-bound organelles.

Well prokaryote is the name given to organisms that are made up from cells that lack a cell nucleus or cells that lack any membrane-encased organelles (a specialized subunit within a cell). In lamens terms, in prokaryotes, the DNA is not bound or held together inside a nucleus. Prokaryotes also only have a single loop DNA. Last but not least prokaryotes are divided into groups or domains but more about that in a minute.

The purpose of this study is to identify four unknown organisms. The unknown organisms have been assigned randomly to six-research groups by Professor Hoffman. Each research group was provided two eukaryotes and two prokaryotes. The unknown organisms will fall into the following classifications: bacteria, algae, fungi, or protozoans. All living organisms are organized into one of three domains of life, Bacteria, Archaea, and Eukarya.

When it comes to Biology there are two important types of cells. One type would be Eukaryotic cells and the second type would be bacterial cells. All cells have four common cell structures, for example, genetic material, ribosomes, cytoplasm, and plasma membrane. Eukaryotic and bacterial cells have five distinct structures with their unique functions. Eukaryotic cells are relatively larger than bacterial cells. Therefor, Eukaryotic cells have structures that have different functions compared to bacteria. Flagella, cell wall, plasma membrane, deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), and cytoplasm are structures that are common on both cell types but have a different function and location due to the size of the cells.

“Eukaryotic cells are complex and include all animal and plant cells. Prokaryotic cells are smaller and simpler, e.g. Bacteria” - (AQA 2008)

Now that we understand the properties of life and the composition of cells, we can focus on the architecture or formation in terms of basic anatomy and physiology as our second area of exploration. The two types of cells (prokaryotic and eukaryotic) defined before have a few common things such as Plasma membrane (similar to animal cells); Cell wall (similar to plant cells); and Ribosomes, the

Cells are the basic components of all living things. Both the prokaryotic and the eukaryotic cell contain a plasma membrane, a cytoplasm, DNA, and ribosomes. One of the main differences between a eukaryotic and prokaryotic cell is that a prokaryotic cell lacks a nucleus, (pro means before and kary means nucleus) and it also lacks membrane-bound organelles. Instead of having a nucleus, prokaryotes have a single chromosome. This chromosome is often referred to as a gonophore. Due to prokaryotes being single celled, the inside of a prokaryotic cell is full of open space, meaning they do not contain any membrane walls. The prokaryotic cell makes up all bacteria and bacteria-like archaea (germs).

The term ‘eukaryote’ encompasses most of the visible species on the planet. A eukaryotic cell is one who's genetic material and organelles are bound by membranes, as opposed to a prokaryote who’s nucleoid and organelles are not membrane bound and sit within the cell membrane in the protoplasm - this grouping is considered the most fundamental classifications of organisms.

Prokaryotic Cells All living things are made of cells, and cells are the smallest units that can be alive. Life on Earth is classified into five kingdoms, and they each have their own characteristic kind of cell. However the biggest division is between the cells of the prokaryote kingdom (monera, the bacteria) and those of the other four kingdoms (animals, plants, fungi and protoctista), which are all eukaryotic cells. Prokaryotic cells are smaller and simpler than eukaryotic cells, and do not have a nucleus. Prokaryotic means 'pre-nucleus' and eukaryotic means 'true nucleus'.

Prokaryote cells - bacteria and archeans. They are single celled organisms, where the DNA is not separate from the cytoplasm. These prokaryote cells formed the earliest and most primitive life on earth.

Before eukaryotic cells contained organelles and worked symbiotically as one, life consisted of free-living bacteria. Organelles, such as chloroplasts and mitochondria, that are currently found in eukaryotic cells are theorized to have been separate bacteria before the evolutionary success of the eukaryotic cell. Such idea is proven through the endosymbiotic theory. This concept provides an evolutionary origin for the mitochondrion and chloroplast seen in organisms of today. This theory is held together by DNA evidence found within the organelles themselves. The mitochondrion alone contain its own genome enclosed in the form of circular DNA, as well as their own ribosomes and transfer RNA. Similarly, the chloroplasts have their own genome. When compared to their bacterial ancestors, these DNA sequences resemble that of the respective organelles. The DNA sequences of these genes provide clear evidence to the evolutionary success of the eukaryotic cell.

Another cellular feature shared by both Archaea and Bacteria is size and arrangement of ribosomes. Their ribosomes are much smaller in comparison to eukaryotes. The function of their ribosomes is similar to the ones in eukaryotes; for translating mRNA codons to sequence of amino acids for the synthesis of proteins. Both have 70S Ribosomes composed of 30S and 50S sub units that are joined to make a 70S unit. They contain “three ribonucleic acid molecules” consisting of “16S, 23S AND 5S”. On the other hand, the “primary structure of Archaea r-RNA and r-Proteins” is much similar to the ones in eukaryotes and less similar to that of bacteria. Additionally, the Archaea ribosome is much firm compared to mesophilic bacteria’s ribosomes, this is particularly beneficial in terms of their adaptation to extreme environmental conditions. (Archaeal Ribosomes, Paola Londei, university of Rome, “Sapienza”