Question

Before exploring some of the features of the different types of eukaryotes, we should first review some of the fundamental differences between eukaryotes and prokaryotes. The two groups of organisms differ fundamentally in the structure of their individual cells. For each of the following statements, identify whether it refers to prokaryotes, eukaryotes, or both groups.

Drag each statement into the appropriate bin.
a. Prokaryotes only.
b. Eukaryotes only.
c. Both prokaryotes and eukaryotes.

Answer 1

Prokaryotes only:

• cell wall contains peptidoglycan or pseudomurein
• binary fission
• 70S ribosomes
• singular circular chromosome

Eukaryotes only:

• membranous organelles, including mitochondria, lysosomes, endoplasmic reticulum
• 80S ribosomes
• nuclear envelope compartmentalizes the chromosomes

Both prokaryotes and eukaryotes:

• plasma membrane encloses the cytoplasm
• has both DNA and RNA
• includes unicellular cells