Comparison of eukaryotes and prokaryotes
Life on our planet evolved from the simplest organisms through the prokaryotic cells, whose collaboration created the eukaryotic cells. Yet the prokaryote did not die! Here we can see two survival strategies.
- Prokaryotic strategy
The prokaryotes “bet ” on simplicity. Their cells are very simply organized. Their reproduction is only non-sexual (yet they are capable of sexual processes!). Therefore, their susceptibility is only dependent on spontaneous mutations, plasmid transfer and recombinant foreign DNA. However, their simplicity allows them to multiply rapidly (one cycle can last only 20 minutes).
- Eukaryotic strategy
Eukaryotic cells are complex and highly organized systems. Those that are diploid are capable of sexual reproduction, which radically increases the ability to create new combinations of genes. However, their complexity slows down their reproductive capacity (one cycle of about 6 hours).
Genetic information differences[edit | edit source]
| --- | Prokaryotes | Eukaryotes |
|---|---|---|
| Nucleus | don't have nucleus (only nucleoid) | have real nucleus |
| chromosome | only one circular | one or more linear |
| genes | without introns | with introns and exons |
| number of genes | 6 to 8 thousands | more than 10 thousands |
| ploidy | only haploid | diploid or haploid |
| nucleolus | don't have nucleolus | have nucleolus |
| non-nuclear DNA | plasmids | mtDNA, possibly plasmids |
| nuclear proteins | without histones | histones |
Cell structure differences[edit | edit source]
| --- | Prokaryotes | Eukaryotes |
|---|---|---|
| size | 0,3–6 μm | 5 μm – few centimeters |
| organelles | only without membrane | with or without membrane |
| ribosomes | prokaryotic (70 S) | eukaryotic (80 S) i prokaryotic (mitochondria) |
Proteosynthesis differences[edit | edit source]
| --- | Prokaryota | Eukaryota |
|---|---|---|
| modification | posttranslational | posttranslational |
| translation | in cytoplasm | in cytoplasm/mitochondria (mtDNA)/directly to ER |
Links[edit | edit source]
Related articles[edit | edit source]
Bibliography[edit | edit source]
- NEČAS, Oldřich. Obecná biologie pro lékařské fakulty. 3. edition. Jinočany : H+H, 2000. ISBN 80-86022-46-3.
