Question

Contrast the cellular and DNA structures of prokaryotes and eukaryotes.

Short answer

Prokaryotes have a simple cell structure without any membranous compartments within the cytoplasm. The genome is circular and has fewer DNA sequences. Prokaryotes sometimes even have plasmid DNA (extrachromosomal DNA sequence).

In eukaryotes, the cytoplasm has various membranous organelles and a linear genome within the nucleus.

Step-by-step solution

Cell

The structure which composes the body of all organisms is denoted as a cell. It is also referred to as the organism’s basic functional unit as it regulates physiological activities essential for survival.

Based on structural organization and complexity, cells are of two broad types: prokaryotic (found in prokaryotes) and eukaryotic (found in eukaryotes).

Prokaryotic cell organization

The cell of prokaryotes are simple, and the cytoplasmic region lacks organelles bounded by membranes (like lysosomes). The genome of prokaryotes has a circular structure and lies in the nucleoid region of the cytoplasm; the DNA sequence of their genome is also fewer in number.

An extrachromosomal sequence of DNA (plasmid) is also found in many prokaryotic cells.

Comparison with the cell of Eukaryotes

In the case of eukaryotes, the cells have several organelles that remain bounded by membranes (either one or two), and the genome lies inside one of the membranous organelles termed the nucleus. The genome has a linear shape as compared to the prokaryotes’ circular shape.

The genomic sequence in eukaryotes is larger than in prokaryotes, and plasmids are not present in eukaryotes.