{"id":4620,"date":"2013-06-29T06:57:24","date_gmt":"2013-06-29T06:57:24","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/?page_id=4620"},"modified":"2026-03-25T10:32:33","modified_gmt":"2026-03-25T15:32:33","slug":"eukaryotic-and-prokaryotic","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/eukaryotic-and-prokaryotic\/","title":{"rendered":"Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic Cells"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\t\t\t<div id=\"mmDeferVideoEncompass_QsQQKzwQv-U\" style=\"position: relative;\">\n\t\t\t<picture>\n\t\t\t\t<source srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/circle-play-duotone.webp\" type=\"image\/webp\">\n\t\t\t\t<source srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/circle-play-duotone.png\" type=\"image\/jpeg\"> \n\t\t\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"eager\" id=\"videoThumbnailImage_QsQQKzwQv-U\" data-source-videoID=\"QsQQKzwQv-U\" src=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/circle-play-duotone.png\" alt=\"Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic Cells Video\" height=\"464\" width=\"825\" class=\"size-full\" data-matomo-title = \"Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic Cells\">\n\t\t\t<\/picture>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<style>img#videoThumbnailImage_QsQQKzwQv-U:hover {cursor:pointer;} img#videoThumbnailImage_QsQQKzwQv-U {background-size:contain;background-image:url(\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/554-eukaryotic-and-prokaryotic-cells-1-1.webp\");}<\/style>\n\t\t\t<script defer>\n\t\t\t  jQuery(\"img#videoThumbnailImage_QsQQKzwQv-U\").click(function() {\n\t\t\t\tlet videoId = jQuery(this).attr(\"data-source-videoID\");\n\t\t\t\tlet helpTag = '<div id=\"mmDeferVideoYTMessage_QsQQKzwQv-U\" style=\"display: none;position: absolute;top: -24px;width: 100%;text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-style: italic;font-size: small;border-top: 1px solid #fc0;\">Having trouble? <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v='+videoId+'\" target=\"_blank\">Click here to watch on YouTube.<\/a><\/span><\/div>';\n\t\t\t\tlet tag = document.createElement(\"iframe\");\n\t\t\t\ttag.id = \"yt\" + videoId;\n\t\t\t\ttag.src = \"https:\/\/www.youtube-nocookie.com\/embed\/\" + videoId + \"?autoplay=1&controls=1&wmode=opaque&rel=0&egm=0&iv_load_policy=3&hd=0&enablejsapi=1\";\n\t\t\t\ttag.frameborder = 0;\n\t\t\t\ttag.allow = \"autoplay; fullscreen\";\n\t\t\t\ttag.width = this.width;\n\t\t\t\ttag.height = this.height;\n\t\t\t\ttag.setAttribute(\"data-matomo-title\",\"Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic Cells\");\n\t\t\t\tjQuery(\"div#mmDeferVideoEncompass_QsQQKzwQv-U\").html(tag);\n\t\t\t\tjQuery(\"div#mmDeferVideoEncompass_QsQQKzwQv-U\").prepend(helpTag);\n\t\t\t\tsetTimeout(function(){jQuery(\"div#mmDeferVideoYTMessage_QsQQKzwQv-U\").css(\"display\", \"block\");}, 2000);\n\t\t\t  });\n\t\t\t  \n\t\t\t<\/script>\n\t\t\n<p><script>\nfunction wZ5_Function() {\n  var x = document.getElementById(\"wZ5\");\n  if (x.style.display === \"none\") {\n    x.style.display = \"block\";\n  } else {\n    x.style.display = \"none\";\n  }\n}\n<\/script><\/p>\n<div class=\"moc-toc hide-on-desktop hide-on-tablet\">\n<div><button onclick=\"wZ5_Function()\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/toc2.svg\" width=\"16\" height=\"16\" alt=\"show or hide table of contents\"><\/button><\/p>\n<p>On this page<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<nav id=\"wZ5\" style=\"display:none;\">\n<ul>\n<li class=\"toc-h2\"><a href=\"#Eukaryotes\" class=\"smooth-scroll\">Eukaryotes<\/a>\n<ul><\/li>\n<li class=\"toc-h3\"><a href=\"#Examples_of_Eukaryotic_Cells\" class=\"smooth-scroll\">Examples of Eukaryotic Cells<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"toc-h2\"><a href=\"#Prokaryotes\" class=\"smooth-scroll\">Prokaryotes:<\/a>\n<ul><\/li>\n<li class=\"toc-h3\"><a href=\"#Examples_of_Prokaryotes\" class=\"smooth-scroll\">Examples of Prokaryotes<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"toc-h2\"><a href=\"#Frequently_Asked_Questions\" class=\"smooth-scroll\">Frequently Asked Questions<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/nav>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"accordion\"><input id=\"transcript\" type=\"checkbox\" class=\"spoiler_button\" \/><label for=\"transcript\">Transcript<\/label><input id=\"FAQs\" type=\"checkbox\" class=\"spoiler_button\" \/><label for=\"FAQs\">FAQs<\/label>\n<div class=\"spoiler\" id=\"transcript-spoiler\">\n<p>Hey guys, welcome to this Mometrix video on eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells.<\/p>\n<p>In this video, we will take a look at what each is, and how they are different.<\/p>\n<h2><span id=\"Eukaryotes\" class=\"m-toc-anchor\"><\/span>Eukaryotes<\/h2>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Eukaryote2@72-scaled.webp\" alt=\"\" width=\"512\" height=\"297.6\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-215971\"  role=\"img\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Eukaryotes can be defined as any organism that has a <a class=\"ylist\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/introduction-to-cellular-biology\/\">cell<\/a> or cells that are complex; more specifically, they have a membrane-bound nucleus where all their genetic information is stored. <\/p>\n<p>The nucleus is not the only organelle contained within a eukaryotic cell membrane, but a membrane-bound nucleus is unique to eukaryotes. All of the eukaryotic cell\u2019s DNA is linear, and is stored within the nucleus. Eukaryotes can contain several other membrane-bound organelles, like a golgi apparatus, endoplasmic reticulum, mitochondrion, and so on! Eukaryotic cells are large cells generally between 10-100 micrometers.<\/p>\n<h3><span id=\"Examples_of_Eukaryotic_Cells\" class=\"m-toc-anchor\"><\/span>Examples of Eukaryotic Cells<\/h3>\n<p>\nGuess what? You are a eukaryote, and all the cells that make you up are eukaryotic.<\/p>\n<p>Some other examples of eukaryotes include protists, fungi, plants, and animals.<\/p>\n<h2><span id=\"Prokaryotes\" class=\"m-toc-anchor\"><\/span>Prokaryotes:<\/h2>\n<p>\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Prokaryote2@72-scaled.webp\" alt=\"\" width=\"512\" height=\"277\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-215971\"  role=\"img\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Prokaryotic cells, on the other hand, are not quite as complex as eukaryotic cells. A prokaryote is a non-complex, single-celled organism that does not contain a nucleus, nor does it contain any membrane-bound organelles. <\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s important to note that eukaryotes can be unicellular as well, but a prokaryote will is always unicellular. All of a prokaryote\u2019s <a class=\"ylist\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/dna\/\">DNA<\/a> is circular and floats freely within the cytoplasm of the cell. Prokaryotes are much smaller than eukaryotes; they range in size from 1 to 5 micrometers.<\/p>\n<h3><span id=\"Examples_of_Prokaryotes\" class=\"m-toc-anchor\"><\/span>Examples of Prokaryotes<\/h3>\n<p>\nExamples of prokaryotes include bacteria and archaea.<\/p>\n<p>I hope that this overview was helpful for you. See you next time!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"spoiler\" id=\"FAQs-spoiler\">\n<h2 style=\"text-align:center\"><span id=\"Frequently_Asked_Questions\" class=\"m-toc-anchor\"><\/span>Frequently Asked Questions<\/h2>\n<div class=\"faq-list\">\n<div class=\"qa_wrap\">\n<div class=\"q_item text_bold\">\n<h4 class=\"letter\">Q<\/h4>\n<p style=\"line-height: unset;\">What is the difference between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells?<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"a_item\">\n<h4 class=\"letter text_bold\">A<\/h4>\n<p>Prokaryotic cells are much simpler than eukaryotic cells as they are usually smaller, single-celled organisms that do not have a nucleus or any membrane-bound organelles.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"qa_wrap\">\n<div class=\"q_item text_bold\">\n<h4 class=\"letter\">Q<\/h4>\n<p style=\"line-height: unset;\">Where is the DNA located in a eukaryotic cell?<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"a_item\">\n<h4 class=\"letter text_bold\">A<\/h4>\n<p>In eukaryotic cells, DNA is mostly contained in chromosomes within the nucleus, although there is some DNA in mitochondria and chloroplasts.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"qa_wrap\">\n<div class=\"q_item text_bold\">\n<h4 class=\"letter\">Q<\/h4>\n<p style=\"line-height: unset;\">Do eukaryotes have a cell wall?<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"a_item\">\n<h4 class=\"letter text_bold\">A<\/h4>\n<p>Some eukaryotes have a cell wall, including plants, some fungi, and some protists. Animal cells are eukaryotic cells that do not contain a cell wall.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"qa_wrap\">\n<div class=\"q_item text_bold\">\n<h4 class=\"letter\">Q<\/h4>\n<p style=\"line-height: unset;\">Do prokaryotes have a cell wall?<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"a_item\">\n<h4 class=\"letter text_bold\">A<\/h4>\n<p>Most prokaryotic cells have a rigid cell wall, but the composition of the cell wall differs between the Bacteria and Archaea domains.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"qa_wrap\">\n<div class=\"q_item text_bold\">\n<h4 class=\"letter\">Q<\/h4>\n<p style=\"line-height: unset;\">Do prokaryotic cells have a nucleus?<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"a_item\">\n<h4 class=\"letter text_bold\">A<\/h4>\n<p>Prokaryotic cells do not have a nucleus and this is one of the characteristics that differentiates a prokaryotic cell from a eukaryotic cell.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"qa_wrap\">\n<div class=\"q_item text_bold\">\n<h4 class=\"letter\">Q<\/h4>\n<p style=\"line-height: unset;\">Do prokaryotic cells have DNA?<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"a_item\">\n<h4 class=\"letter text_bold\">A<\/h4>\n<p>Prokaryotic cells do have DNA, but it is located in the center of cell in a region referred to as a nucleoid.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"qa_wrap\">\n<div class=\"q_item text_bold\">\n<h4 class=\"letter\">Q<\/h4>\n<p style=\"line-height: unset;\">Do prokaryotic cells have mitochondria?<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"a_item\">\n<h4 class=\"letter text_bold\">A<\/h4>\n<p>Prokaryotic cells do not have membrane-bound organelles and thus do not have mitochondria.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"home-buttons\">\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/biology\/\">Return to Biology Videos<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Return to Biology Videos<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":95437,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":{"0":"post-4620","1":"page","2":"type-page","3":"status-publish","4":"has-post-thumbnail","6":"page_category-cell-biology-videos","7":"page_type-video","8":"subject_matter-science"},"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/4620","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4620"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/4620\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":278872,"href":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/4620\/revisions\/278872"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/95437"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4620"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}