AQA A Level Biology

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2.1.6 Prokaryotic v Eukaryotic Cells

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Prokaryotic v Eukaryotic Cell Structures

Eukaryotic vs Prokaryotic

  • Animal and plant cells are types of eukaryotic cells, whereas bacteria are a type of prokaryote
  • Prokaryotes have a cellular structure distinct from eukaryotes:
    • Their genetic material is not packaged within a membrane-bound nucleus and is usually circular (eukaryotic genetic material is packaged as linear chromosomes)
    • Prokaryotes lack membrane-bound organelles
    • They are many (100s/1000s) of times smaller than eukaryotic cells
    • Their ribosomes are structurally smaller (70 S) in comparison to those found in eukaryotic cells (80 S)

Cell Components- Prokaryotic cell, downloadable AS & A Level Biology revision notes

Prokaryotic cells are often described as being ‘simpler’ than eukaryotic cells, and they are believed to have emerged as the first living organisms on Earth

Prokaryotic & Eukaryotic Cells Comparison Table

Comparison of Prokaryotes & Eukaryotes table, downloadable IB Biology revision notes

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Author: Lára

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