Prokaryote vs Eukaryote Flashcards
What is a unicellular organism?
A single cell that performs all life functions
Examples include bacteria, amoeba, paramecium, and yeast.
What is a multicellular organism?
Composed of many cells that work together
Examples include humans, plants, animals, and fungi.
What processes occur within a unicellular organism?
All processes such as metabolism and reproduction occur within one cell.
How do unicellular organisms typically reproduce?
Usually reproduce asexually (e.g., binary fission, budding).
What is the lifespan of unicellular organisms generally like?
Generally short due to limited complexity and resources.
What is an organelle?
Specialized structures that perform various jobs inside cells.
What do cells require to survive?
Energy sources, matter (gases), simple nutrients, amino acids, fatty acids, water, and removal of wastes.
What is a key feature of animal cells compared to plant cells?
Animal cells only contain a cell membrane.
What do both animal and plant cells contain?
Both types contain a nucleus.
What is a significant feature of plant cells?
Only plant cells contain chloroplasts.
What are ‘membrane-bound organelles’?
Organelles separated by membranes that allow cellular processes to be carried out efficiently.
What is the function of mitochondria?
Known as the powerhouse of the cell; they produce energy in the form of ATP.
What is the function of the nucleus?
Contains the cell’s DNA for structure, function, and reproduction.
What does the cell membrane do?
Controls the movement of substances in and out of the cell, providing protection and maintaining homeostasis.
What are the two types of prokaryotic cells?
Bacteria and Archaea.
What are general features of all prokaryotes?
- Consist of a single cell
- Small size
- Contained within a semi-rigid cell wall
- Do not contain membrane-bound organelles
- Lacks a nucleus
- Genetic material in the form of a single circular chromosome
What specialized features may some prokaryotes have?
- A capsule
- A flagellum
- Pili
What defines a eukaryotic cell?
Contains membrane-bound organelles and a clearly defined nucleus.
What is the size comparison between eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells?
Eukaryotes are more than 100 to 10,000 times larger than prokaryotic cells.
What is the key distinction between prokaryotes and eukaryotes?
Prokaryotes don’t have membrane-bound organelles, whereas eukaryotes do.
What type of DNA do prokaryotic cells have?
Circular DNA in a nucleoid.
What type of DNA do eukaryotic cells have?
Linear DNA in a nucleus.
True or False: Prokaryotes can be multicellular.
False.
What is the function of ribosomes in cells?
Protein synthesis.
Fill in the blank: Prokaryotic cells have a _______ (circular DNA) instead of a nucleus.
nucleoid
Describe two structural similarities between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells.
- Has cytoplasm
- Has cell membrane
Describe two differences between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells.
- Prokaryotes lack membrane-bound organelles
- Eukaryotes have a defined nucleus
