Final answer:
Cells share basic features like plasma membranes and ribosomes, but eukaryotic cells have nuclei and organelles like mitochondria, unlike prokaryotic cells. Eukaryotes undergo mitosis during cell division, whereas prokaryotes use a protein ring called FtsZ for cytokinesis.
Step-by-step explanation:
All living cells, whether they are prokaryotic or eukaryotic, share several fundamental features: a plasma membrane that acts as a barrier, cytoplasm which is a jelly-like substance inside the cell, nucleic acids which are the genetic material, and ribosomes for protein synthesis. Despite these similarities, there are also significant differences between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells in terms of structure and function.
For example, eukaryotic cells have a nucleus enclosed by a double membrane that holds DNA, whereas prokaryotes have a single, circular DNA chromosome in a nucleoid region without a nucleus. Eukaryotes possess many membrane-bound organelles like mitochondria and chloroplasts, which are involved in energy conversion processes such as cellular respiration and photosynthesis. In contrast, prokaryotic cells lack these organelles.
Regarding cell division, prokaryotes undergo a different process compared to eukaryotes. Prokaryotic cell division does not involve mitosis but instead utilizes a protein ring called FtsZ for cytokinesis, leading to the division of one cell into two daughter cells. Eukaryotic division involves complex processes of mitosis and cytokinesis, often with multiple chromosomes aligning and separating into new nuclei.