Prokaryotic cell structure

Prokaryotic differences to eukaryotic

• cell wall

  • made of murein (peptidoglycan)

• ribosomes

  • prokaryotic cells have 70S ribosomes

  • eukaryotic cells have 80S ribosomes (larger)

• genetic material

  • no nucleus

  • large circular strand of DNA

  • extra genes found in smaller loops

    • plasmid

Prokaryotic organelles

• capsule

  • extra layer around cell wall

  • made up of polysaccharides

  • protects cell from attack by antibiotics or WBC

• flagellum

  • long hair like structure

  • attached to cell membrane

  • rotates to push cell through its environment

• pili

  • short hair like structures

  • on cell surface

  • used for attaching prokaryotic cells to other cells or surfaces

Prokaryotic vs eukaryotic features