Cell Types and Their Distinguishing Features

The differences between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells are fundamental to understanding cellular biology. This page provides a comprehensive comparison of three main cell types: bacterial (prokaryotic), plant (eukaryotic), and animal (eukaryotic) cells, highlighting their unique structural components and functions of organelles in eukaryotic cells.

Definition: Prokaryotic cells are simpler organisms lacking a membrane-bound nucleus and organelles, while eukaryotic cells contain membrane-bound organelles and a true nucleus.

Example: Bacteria represent prokaryotic cells, while plants and animals have eukaryotic cells.

Highlight: Plant cells are distinguished by their cell wall, chloroplasts, and large central vacuole, while animal cells uniquely contain centrioles and lysosomes.

Vocabulary:

• Plasmids: Small circular DNA molecules in bacterial cells
• Chloroplasts: Organelles responsible for photosynthesis in plant cells
• Lysosomes: Organelles containing digestive enzymes in animal cells
• Centrioles: Cylindrical cell structures involved in cell division

The page illustrates detailed diagrams of all three cell types, showing their respective organelles and structural components. The structure of a bacterial cell is shown with its characteristic features including the nucleoid region, plasmids, and fimbria, while eukaryotic cells display more complex organizations with various membrane-bound organelles such as the endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus, and mitochondria.