Prokaryotic vs. Eukaryotic Cells

Prokaryote Single-celled organism that lacks a nucleus and other membrane-bound cell parts (organelles)

Features of Prokaryotes Cannot carry out specialized functions Lived at least 3.5 billion years ago and were only organisms on the planet for nearly 2 billion years Warrawoona Formation, Australia, 3.5 billion years ago, prokaryotes (no nucleus, probably cyanobacteria)

Features of Prokaryotes continued Modern prokaryotes are informally called bacteria. Genetic material is a single circle of DNA Have a cell wall for structure and flagella for movement

Eukaryote An organism whose cells have a nucleus and other membrane-bound organelles Organelle is a structure that carries out a specific function

Eukaryotes continued Many single-celled eukaryotes use flagella or cilia to move around and/or to move material across cell membrane Flagella whip back and forth. They are structurally different from the flagella found in prokaryotes. Cilia are shorter and beat stiffly in one direction.

Eukaryote vs. Prokaryote