What is the difference between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells?

The distinction between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells is primarily based on the presence or absence of a nucleus. Prokaryotic cells, which include bacteria and archaea, do not possess a true nucleus; instead, their genetic material is located in a region called the nucleoid, which is not membrane-bound. In contrast, eukaryotic cells, such as those found in plants, animals, and fungi, contain a well-defined nucleus that is surrounded by a nuclear membrane, housing their DNA. This fundamental difference in cellular organization plays a crucial role in many other cellular processes and structures.

This characteristic also sets the stage for further distinctions in cellular complexity and function, including the presence of membrane-bound organelles in eukaryotic cells, which are not found in prokaryotic cells. This includes structures like the endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus, and mitochondria that are vital for various cellular functions. Understanding this fundamental difference is key to grasping how life is organized at the cellular level, and it has implications for biology, genetics, and evolutionary study.