Differences between eukaryotes and prokaryotes

Eukaryotic cell

Prokaryotic cell

Size

Most are 5 μm – 100 μm

Most are 0.2 μm – 2.0 μm

Outer layers of cell

Cell membrane - surrounded by cell wall in plants and fungi

Cell membrane - surrounded by cell wall

Cell contents

Cytoplasm, cell organelles include mitochondria, chloroplasts in plants and ribosomes

Cytoplasm, ribosomes, no mitochondria or chloroplasts

Genetic material

DNA in a nucleus - plasmids are found in a few simple eukaryotic organisms

DNA is a single molecule, found free in the cytoplasm - additional DNA is found on one or more rings called plasmids

Type of cell division

Mitosis

Binary fission