What's the difference between prokaryotic cells and eukaryotic cells

Eukaryotic cells are what make up you (and also plants), whereas prokaryotic cells make up bacteria. If you think about the fact that bacteria are way smaller than plants and animals, you can remember that these cells are much smaller than eukaryotic cells. Prokaryotic literally means 'before the nucleus' so prokaryotes don't contain a nucleus, but they still have DNA, which is found in small rings floating around called 'plasmids'. Every prokaryotic cell has a cell wall surrounding it, whereas in the eukaryotic world only plant and fungal cells have cell walls, animal cells are only covered in a thinner layer known as the cell membrane. Finally, eukaryotic cells mostly divide by mitosis, but prokaryotes divide with binary fission.

Answered by Matt S. Biology tutor

2558 Views

See similar Biology GCSE tutors

Related Biology GCSE answers

All answers ▸

How are the lungs adapted for gas exchange?


Describe how smoking damages the lungs


Ben has red hair, and his wife has brown hair. The allele for red hair is recessive (r) and the allele for brown hair is dominant (B). Their son also has red hair. What is the genotype of Ben's wife?


Define a gene


We're here to help

contact us iconContact usWhatsapp logoMessage us on Whatsapptelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

© MyTutorWeb Ltd 2013–2025

Terms & Conditions|Privacy Policy
Cookie Preferences