Prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells differ in their complexity. Prokaryotic cells are simpler and lack membrane-bound organelles, while eukaryotic cells have organelles enclosed within membranes. Key differences include prokaryotes having circular DNA floating in the cytoplasm versus eukaryotes with linear DNA enclosed in a nucleus. Prokaryotes emerged billions of years ago as the first and only form of life for a long time, while eukaryotes developed later and are generally more complex with the potential to be multicellular. Both cell types share some basic components like cell membranes, ribosomes, and DNA.

1. Prokaryotic Cells Vs.Prokaryotic Cells Vs.
Eukaryotic CellsEukaryotic Cells

2. Now that we have learned how livingNow that we have learned how living
things are organized what’s next?things are organized what’s next?
 We will learn more about the lowest levelWe will learn more about the lowest level
of organization: cellsof organization: cells
What is the first thing that we need to knowWhat is the first thing that we need to know
about cells?about cells?
 All cells fall into one of the two majorAll cells fall into one of the two major
classifications of either prokaryotic orclassifications of either prokaryotic or
eukaryotic.eukaryotic.

4. What’s the difference betweenWhat’s the difference between
prokaryotes and eukaryotes?prokaryotes and eukaryotes?
 Prokaryotic cellsProkaryotic cells were here first and forwere here first and for
billions of years were the only form of lifebillions of years were the only form of life
on Earth. Allon Earth. All prokaryoticprokaryotic organisms areorganisms are
unicellularunicellular
 Eukaryotic cellsEukaryotic cells appeared on earth longappeared on earth long
afterafter prokaryotic cellsprokaryotic cells but they are muchbut they are much
more advanced.more advanced. EukaryoticEukaryotic organismsorganisms
unlikeunlike prokaryoticprokaryotic can becan be unicellularunicellular oror
multicellularmulticellular..

6. Glow inGlow in
thethe
darkdark
squid…squid…
howhow
does itdoes it
dodo
that?that?

7.  VibrioVibrio
fischerifischeri
 Glow inGlow in
the darkthe dark
bacteriabacteria
 Helps itHelps it
survive insurvive in
the oceanthe ocean
 Lives inLives in
fish andfish and
otherother
marinemarine
lifelife

8. Let’s Take a Look at theLet’s Take a Look at the
Characteristics of ProkaryotesCharacteristics of Prokaryotes
 Prokaryotes are the simplest type of cell.Prokaryotes are the simplest type of cell.
 Oldest type of cell appeared about four billionOldest type of cell appeared about four billion
years ago.years ago.
 Prokaryotes are the largest group of organismsProkaryotes are the largest group of organisms
 Prokaryotes unicellular organisms that are foundProkaryotes unicellular organisms that are found
in all environments.in all environments.

9. Let’s Take a Look at theLet’s Take a Look at the
Characteristics of ProkaryotesCharacteristics of Prokaryotes
 Prokaryotes do not have a nuclear membrane .Prokaryotes do not have a nuclear membrane .
Their circular shaped genetic material dispersedTheir circular shaped genetic material dispersed
throughout cytoplasm.throughout cytoplasm.
 Prokaryotes do not have membrane-boundProkaryotes do not have membrane-bound
organelles .organelles .
 Prokaryotes have a simple internal structure.Prokaryotes have a simple internal structure.
 Prokaryotes are smaller in size when comparedProkaryotes are smaller in size when compared
to Eukaryotes.to Eukaryotes.

10. Shapes of ProkaryotesShapes of Prokaryotes
 Cocci =Cocci =
sphericalspherical
(round)(round)
 Bacillus =Bacillus =
(rod(rod
shaped)shaped)
 Spirilla =Spirilla =
helicalhelical
(spiral)(spiral)

11. What do prokaryotic cell lookWhat do prokaryotic cell look
like?like?

12. Now let’s take a look at theNow let’s take a look at the
characteristics of eukaryotescharacteristics of eukaryotes
 Eukaryotic cells appeared approximatelyEukaryotic cells appeared approximately
one billion years agoone billion years ago
 Eukaryotes are generally more advancedEukaryotes are generally more advanced
than prokaryotesthan prokaryotes
 Nuclear membrane surrounds linearNuclear membrane surrounds linear
genetic material (DNA)genetic material (DNA)

13. Is there more? Yes!!!Is there more? Yes!!!
 Unlike prokaryotes, eukaryotes have severalUnlike prokaryotes, eukaryotes have several
different parts.different parts.
 Prokaryote’s organelles have coverings knownProkaryote’s organelles have coverings known
asas membranes.membranes.
 EukaryotesEukaryotes have a complex internal structure.have a complex internal structure.
 Eukaryotes are larger than prokaryotes in size .Eukaryotes are larger than prokaryotes in size .

14. What do eukaryotic cells lookWhat do eukaryotic cells look
like?like?Mitochondria
Nucleus
Golgi
Complex
Endoplasmic
Reticulum
Cell
Membrane
Cytoplasm

15. How do the differences line up?How do the differences line up?
ProkaryotesProkaryotes
 Organelles lack aOrganelles lack a
membranemembrane
 Ribosomes are theRibosomes are the
only organellesonly organelles
 Genetic materialGenetic material
floats in thefloats in the
cytoplasm (DNA andcytoplasm (DNA and
RNA)RNA)
EukaryotesEukaryotes
 Organelles coveredOrganelles covered
by a membraneby a membrane
 Multiple organellesMultiple organelles
including ribosomesincluding ribosomes
 Membrane coveredMembrane covered
Genetic materialGenetic material

16. How do the differences line up?How do the differences line up?
ProkaryotesProkaryotes
 Circular DNACircular DNA
 UnicellularUnicellular
 Cells are smaller inCells are smaller in
sizesize
 Has larger number ofHas larger number of
organismsorganisms
EukaryotesEukaryotes
 Linear DNALinear DNA
 May be multicellularMay be multicellular
or unicellularor unicellular
 Cells are larger inCells are larger in
sizesize
 Has smaller numberHas smaller number
of organismsof organisms

17. How do the differences line up?How do the differences line up?
ProkaryotesProkaryotes
 Appeared 4 billionAppeared 4 billion
years agoyears ago
EukaryotesEukaryotes
 Appeared 1 billionAppeared 1 billion
years agoyears ago

18. How do the similarities line up?How do the similarities line up?
Lets See!!!Lets See!!!
 Both types of cells haveBoth types of cells have
cell membranes (outercell membranes (outer
covering of the cell)covering of the cell)
 Both types of cells haveBoth types of cells have
ribosomesribosomes
 Both types of cells haveBoth types of cells have
DNADNA
 Both types of cells have aBoth types of cells have a
liquid environment knownliquid environment known
as the cytoplasmas the cytoplasm

19. Your turn:Your turn:
 Make a Venn Diagram outlining theMake a Venn Diagram outlining the
similarities and differences betweensimilarities and differences between
prokaryotes and eukaryotesprokaryotes and eukaryotes
 You may use your book and/or consultYou may use your book and/or consult
your teammateyour teammate