Eukaryotes and Prokaryotes
Properties of Eukaryotes and Prokaryotes
June Saxton
Kaplan University
HS320
Susan Galindo
EUKARYOTES AND PROKARYOTES
Because the cell is the basic functional unit of all living organisms and eukaryotes and
prokaryotes are the two main classifications of cells are eukaryotes and prokaryotes, it is
important to study their similarities, differences, characteristics, morphological and functional
properties and how they function in a therapeutic environment in order to understand their
function in the cycle of life (Molecular Devices, LLC, 2013).
Similarities & Differences
Since both bacteria and archaea are considered prokaryotes and two very different cell
structures comparing them to eukaryotes (animals and plants are examples) is very difficult, but
there are some common properties which are similar in all living beings i.e. they all have DNA
which controls structure and function, biochemical patterns which control growth and energy
function, they both respond to stimuli, reproduction and are capable of adapting from one
generation to the next (Pommerville, 2011).
The main difference between eukaryotes and prokaryotes is that eukaryotes have a cell
nucleus and prokaryotes do not (Molecular Devices, LLC, 2013). Other than that prokaryotes
have singular, circular chromosomes and eukaryotes have multiple, linear chromosomes.
Another difference is that prokaryotes can grow in environments above 80 degrees centigrade
and eukaryotes cannot (Pommerville, 2011).
Cell Characteristics & Morphological Properties.
Eukaryotes contain Linear DNA chromosomes, a plasma membrane, cytoplasm,
ribosomes, endomembrane protein/lipid transport, energy is metabolized through mitochondria
and chloroplasts, protein filaments in cytoplasm, uses eukaryotic flagella and cilia for motility
and the water balance is maintained through the cell wall (Pommerville, 2011).
EUKARYOTES AND PROKARYOTES
Prokaryotes (Bacteria) contain a circular DNA chromosome, a cell membrane, cytoplasm
which is uses for protein/lipid transport and energy metabolism, ribosomes, uses bacterial
flagella for motility and the water balance is maintained through the cell wall (Pommerville,
2011).
Functional Properties. The structures mentioned above have many functions. The cell
membrane provides a cell boundary while allowing transport of material in and out of the cell,
the cell wall offers the cell protection and determines the shape of the cell, the flagella provides
cell motility, the nucleoid and plasmids contain the DNA and the ribosomes contain the RNA. In
addition there are pili which provides the means for the cell to attach to surfaces as well as
genetic transfer (Pommerville, 2011).
Microbial Survival. The factors that influence cell survival are temperature, oxygen, pH
and air or water. These are the physical factors that influence their growth. If these factors are not
optimal, growth slows and eventually ceases. One thing that helps microbes grow in a
therapeutic environment is that they are adaptable. While most microbes either aerobic (oxygen
dependent) or anaerobic (do not need oxygen), some are facultative and can grow in oxygen or in
reduced oxygen. Another adaptive measure is sporulation which is a response that a few bacterial
species have to nutrient limitation and crowding. These endospores are resilient and can survive
in harsh conditions and when conditions are ideal can repopulate the microbe (Pommerville,
2011). Another example of a microbial survival technique is antibiotic resistance. When
antibiotics are used widely and for a long time infectious organisms adapt to them making them
less effective or ineffective (CDC, 2012).
Because all life, simple or complex has its basis in cells, it is important to understand how
cells function, grow, adapt and respond.
EUKARYOTES AND PROKARYOTES
References
CDC. (2012). Antibiotic / antimicrobial resistance. Retrieved from
http://www.cdc.gov/drugresistance/index.html
Molecular Devices, LLC. (2013). Cellular function. Retrieved from
http://www.moleculardevices.com/Applications/Cellular-Function.html
Pommerville, J. (2011). Alcamo's fundamentals of microbiology. (9 ed., Vol. 9). Sudbury: Jones
& Bartlett Publishers.
EUKARYOTES AND PROKARYOTES
Footnotes
1
[Add footnotes, if any, on their own page following references. For APA formatting
requirements, it’s easy to just type your own footnote references and notes. To format a footnote
reference, select the number and then, on the Home tab, in the Styles gallery, click Footnote
Reference. The body of a footnote, such as this example, uses the Normal text style. (Note: If you
delete this sample footnote, don’t forget to delete its in-text reference as well. That’s at the end of
the sample Heading 2 paragraph on the first page of body content in this template.)]
EUKARYOTES AND PROKARYOTES
Tables
Table 1
[Table Title]
Column Head
Row Head
Row Head
Row Head
Row Head
Row Head
Row Head
Column Head
123
456
789
123
456
789
Column Head
123
456
789
123
456
789
Column Head
123
456
789
123
456
789
Column Head
123
456
789
123
456
789
Note: [Place all tables for your paper in a tables section, following references (and, if applicable,
footnotes). Start a new page for each table, include a table number and table title for each, as
shown on this page. All explanatory text appears in a table note that follows the table, such as
this one. Use the Table/Figure style, available on the Home tab, in the Styles gallery, to get the
spacing between table and note. Tables in APA format can use single or 1.5 line spacing. Include
a heading for every row and column, even if the content seems obvious. A default table style has
been setup for this template that fits APA guidelines. To insert a table, on the Insert tab, click
Table.]
EUKARYOTES AND PROKARYOTES
Figures
6
5
4
3
2
1
0
Category 1
Category 2
Series 1
Category 3
Series 2
Category 4
Series 3
Figure 1. [Include all figures in their own section, following references (and footnotes and tables,
if applicable). Include a numbered caption for each figure. Use the Table/Figure style for easy
spacing between figure and caption.]
For more information about all elements of APA formatting, please consult the APA Style
Manual, 6th Edition.