1. Cell structure and Function
1.2.a.Comparison of Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic Cells and Their Functions
Comparison of Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic Cell
Dr V Malathi and Mrs Sushumna Rao
| Components of Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic Cells and Their Functions | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cell Component | Function | Present in Prokaryotes? | Present in Animal Cells? | Present in Plant Cells? |
| Plasma membrane | Separates cell from external environment; controls passage of organic molecules, ions, water, oxygen, and wastes into and out of the cell | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Cytoplasm | Provides structure to cell; site of many metabolic reactions; medium in which organelles are found | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Nucleoid | Location of DNA | Yes | No | No |
| Nucleus | Cell organelle that houses DNA and directs synthesis of ribosomes and proteins | No | Yes | Yes |
| Ribosomes | Protein synthesis | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Mitochondria | ATP production/cellular respiration | No | Yes | Yes |
| Peroxisomes | Oxidizes and breaks down fatty acids and amino acids, and detoxifies poisons | No | Yes | Yes |
| Vesicles and vacuoles | Storage and transport; digestive function in plant cells | No | Yes | Yes |
| Centrosome | Unspecified role in cell division in animal cells; source of microtubules in animal cells | No | Yes | No |
| Lysosomes | Digestion of macromolecules; recycling of worn-out organelles | No | Yes | No |
| Cell wall | Protection, structural support and maintenance of cell shape | Yes, primarily peptidoglycan in bacteria but not Archaea | No | Yes, primarily cellulose |
| Chloroplasts | Photosynthesis | No | No | Yes |
| Endoplasmic reticulum | Modifies proteins and synthesizes lipids | No | Yes | Yes |
| Golgi apparatus | Modifies, sorts, tags, packages, and distributes lipids and proteins | No | Yes | Yes |
| Cytoskeleton | Maintains cell’s shape, secures organelles in specific positions, allows cytoplasm and vesicles to move within the cell, and enables unicellular organisms to move independently | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Flagella | Cellular locomotion | Some | Some | No, except for some plant sperm. |
| Cilia | Cellular locomotion, movement of particles along extracellular surface of plasma membrane, and filtration | No | Some | No |
Source :Comparing Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic Cell
Test your understanding
Comparing Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic Cells Ch 3.2 Exercises by Charles Molnar and Jane Gair is licensed under CC BY 4.0 
