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Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic
Cells
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C HAPTER
Chapter 1. Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic Cells
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Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic
Cells
FIGURE 1.1
All cells have certain parts in common. These parts include the cell membrane, cytoplasm, DNA and ribosomes.
Another common trait is that they are microscopic.
• The cell membrane is a thin coat of phospholipids that surrounds the cell. It’s like the “skin” of the cell.
It forms a physical boundary between the contents of the cell and the environment outside the cell. It also
controls what enters and leaves the cell. The cell membrane is sometimes called the plasma membrane.
• Cytoplasm is the material inside the cell membrane. It is a clear jelly like substance that provides support for
the other structures of the cell.
• DNA is a nucleic acid found in cells. It contains genetic instructions that cells need to make proteins.
• Ribosomes are structures in the cytoplasm where proteins are made. It does not have a membrane that
surrounds it.
• Though not a part so to speak, all cells are microscopic.
These five components are found in all cells. They are found in the cells of organisms as different as unicellular
bacteria and multicellular humans.
Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic Cells
Besides the four parts listed above, many cells also have a nucleus. The nucleus of a cell is a structure enclosed by a
membrane that contains the cell’s DNA. Cells are classified in two major groups based on whether or not they have
a nucleus. The two groups are prokaryotic cells and eukaryotic cells.
Prokaryotic cells are single cells that lack a nucleus. The DNA in prokaryotic cells is circular and found in the
cytoplasm, rather than enclosed within a nuclear membrane. All the organisms in the Eubacteria and Archaeabacteria
Domains have prokaryotic cells. No other organisms have this type of cell. The most common prokaryotic cell is
a bacteria. Organisms with prokaryotic cells are called prokaryotes. They are all single-celled organisms, or
unicellular. They were the first type of organisms on the planet. They are still the most numerous organisms today.
You can see a model of a prokaryotic cell in Figure below . The cell in the figure is a bacterium. Notice how it
contains a cell membrane, cytoplasm, ribosomes, and several other structures. However, the cell lacks a nucleus.
The cell’s DNA is circular. It coils up in a mass called a nucleoid that floats in the cytoplasm.
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FIGURE 1.2
Eukaryotic cells are cells that contain a nucleus which means their linear DNA is found inside the nuclear membrane. They are larger than prokaryotic cells. They are also more complex. Living things with eukaryotic cells are
called eukaryotes. All of them belong to the Eukarya Domain. This domain includes protists, fungi, plants, and
animals. Many protists consist of a single cell. However, most eukaryotes have more than one cell, or multicellular.
You can see a model of a eukaryotic cell in Figure below . The cell in the figure is an animal cell.
FIGURE 1.3
The nucleus is an example of an organelle. An organelle is any structure inside a cell that is enclosed by a
membrane. Eukaryotic cells may contain many different organelles. Each does a special job. For example, the
mitochondrion is an organelle that provides energy to the cell. You can see a mitochondrion and several other
organelles in the animal cell in Figure above . Organelles allow eukaryotic cells to carry out more functions than
prokaryotic cells can.
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Chapter 1. Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic Cells
FIGURE 1.4
These are three different examples of unicellular organisms that exist today.
Why Cells Are So Small
Cells with different functions often vary in shape. They may also vary in size. However, all cells are very small.
Even the largest organisms have microscopic cells. Cells are so small that their diameter is measured in micrometers.
A micrometer is just one-millionth of a meter. Use the sliding scale at the following link to see how small cells and
cell parts are compared with other objects.
http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/content/cells/scale/
Why are cells so small? The answer has to do with the surface area and volume of cells.
• To carry out life processes, a cell must be able to pass substances into and out of the cell. For example, it must
be able to pass nutrients into the cell and waste products out of the cell. Anything that enters or leaves a cell
has to go through the cell membrane on the surface of the cell.
• A bigger cell needs more nutrients and creates more wastes. As the size of a cell increases, its volume increases
more quickly that its surface area. If the volume of a cell becomes too great, it won’t have enough surface area
to transfer all of its nutrients and wastes.
Vocabulary
• Cell Membrane: a thin coat of phospholipids that surrounds the cell, forms a physcial boundary between the
inside and the outside of the cell
• Cytoplasm: a clear jelly like substance that provides support for the other structures of the cell
• DNA: nucleic acids that store an organism’s genetic code
• Eukaryotic Cell: usually a multicellular, though can be unicellular, that has a nucleus
• Nucleus: a place in the cell that is surrounded by a membrane and contains the chromosomes
• Multicellular: organism made of two or more cells
• Organelle: any structure inside a cell that is enclosed by a membrane
• Prokaryotic Cell: a unicellular cell that does not contain a nucleus
• Ribosomes: the only non-membrane covered organelle, it is found in all cells
• Unicellular: organisms that are made up of only one cell
Lesson Summary
• All cells have a cell membrane, cytoplasm, DNA, and ribosomes.
• Cells are either prokaryotic cells, which lack a nucleus, or eukaryotic cells, which have a nucleus.
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Explore More
This video is a fun way to learn about the similarities and differences between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells.
• Prokaryotes and Eukaryotes at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ruBAHiij4EA (5:42)
MEDIA
Click image to the left or use the URL below.
URL: http://www.ck12.org/flx/render/embeddedobject/148797
Lesson Review Questions
• What are the four basic parts found in all cells?
• Compare and contrast prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells.
• Explain why cells are so small.
References
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Diagram of a typical Prokaryotic cell.
Diagram of a typical Prokaryotic cell.
Typical eukaryotic animal cell.
Typical eukaryotic animal cell.