Last Updated: 21 March 2026Verified for JEE 2026
BiologyNEET
Difference Between Prokaryotic Cell and Eukaryotic Cell
Prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells are the two fundamental cell types. Prokaryotes lack a membrane-bound nucleus, while eukaryotes have a well-defined nucleus and organelles.
Prokaryotic Cell vs Eukaryotic Cell — Comparison Table
| Aspect | Prokaryotic Cell | Eukaryotic Cell |
|---|---|---|
| Nucleus | No true nucleus (nucleoid) | Membrane-bound nucleus |
| Size | Small (1-10 μm) | Large (10-100 μm) |
| Organelles | No membrane-bound organelles | Mitochondria, ER, Golgi, etc. |
| DNA | Circular, no histones | Linear, with histones |
| Ribosomes | 70S | 80S |
| Cell wall | Present (peptidoglycan) | Present in plants (cellulose), absent in animals |
| Reproduction | Binary fission | Mitosis and meiosis |
| Examples | Bacteria, Archaea | Plants, Animals, Fungi, Protists |
Key Points to Remember
Prokaryotes evolved first (~3.5 billion years ago)
Endosymbiotic theory: mitochondria and chloroplasts were once prokaryotes
Prokaryotes can have plasmids (extra-chromosomal DNA)
Both types have plasma membranes, ribosomes, and DNA
Exam Relevance
This topic falls under Cell Structure in Biology for NEET. Questions on the difference between prokaryotic cell and eukaryotic cell appear frequently in competitive exams, both as direct MCQs and as part of numerical/assertion-reason problems.
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