Final answer:
Prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells differ in the presence of a membrane-bound nucleus and membrane-bound organelles. Eukaryotic cells have compartmentalized structures that allow for complex processes and contain multiple chromosomes, whereas prokaryotes lack these and generally have a single circular chromosome.
Step-by-step explanation:
The presence of a membrane-bound nucleus and membrane-bound organelles are key characteristics that differentiate prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. Prokaryotic cells contain their genetic material in a nucleoid and lack these defining features of eukaryotic cells. Notably, eukaryotic cells possess a variety of organelles, including mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus, lysosomes, and peroxisomes, which serve specific functions within the cell. This compartmentalization allows for more sophisticated regulation of gene expression and cell processes in eukaryotes. Furthermore, while prokaryotic cells often have a single, circular chromosome, eukaryotic cells contain multiple, rod-shaped chromosomes enclosed in a nuclear membrane.