Final answer:
DNA replication is about 10 times faster in prokaryotic cells than in eukaryotic cells, with prokaryotes replicating at a rate of about 1000 nucleotides per second compared to 100 nucleotides per second for eukaryotes.
Step-by-step explanation:
DNA replication occurs significantly faster in prokaryotic cells compared to eukaryotic cells. In prokaryotes, the rate of replication can reach around 1000 nucleotides per second, which is much faster due to their simpler structure, having a single, circular chromosome and lacking a nucleus.
The chromatin structure in eukaryotic cells, with multiple linear chromosomes and complex packaging involving histones and nucleosomes, slows down the replication process to approximately 100 nucleotides per second. This means that DNA replication in prokaryotes is roughly 10 times faster than in eukaryotes. The human genome's complexity and size, with 3 billion base pairs per haploid set and up to 100,000 origins of replication, contribute to the slower rate of replication observed in eukaryotic cells.