Final answer:
The main difference between the two types of cells is whether they contain a nucleus: prokaryotic cells lack a nucleus, while eukaryotic cells have a membrane-bound nucleus. Bacteria are examples of prokaryotic cells, whereas plant and animal cells are eukaryotic.
Step-by-step explanation:
The main difference between the two types of cells is based on whether they possess a nucleus. Prokaryotic cells do not have a nucleus and have their DNA freely floating in a region called the nucleoid, often in a single, circular chromosome.
In contrast, eukaryotic cells have a well-organized, membrane-bound nucleus that contains their DNA structured in multiple linear chromosomes.
Every organism is made up of cells that fall into these two categories. For example, bacterial cells are prokaryotic, while plant and animal cells are eukaryotic. Despite the differences in cellular structure, all cells share basic functions but are highly specialized depending on their role in the organism.
Epithelial cells, bone cells, immune system cells, and blood cells are just a few examples of the various types of cells present in the human body, each with a specific function.
In terms of structure, prokaryotic cells are generally simpler and smaller than eukaryotic cells. Eukaryotic cells are characterized by the presence of various organelles such as the endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus, mitochondria, and sometimes chloroplasts in plant cells.
These organelles are membrane-bound areas within the cell that have specialized functions, contributing to the greater complexity of eukaryotic cells.