Final answer:
Prokaryotic cells do not have a nucleus or membrane-bound organelles and have a single circular chromosome; they are generally smaller and simpler. Eukaryotic cells have a nucleus containing multiple chromosomes, are larger, more complex, and contain additional organelles. Cell division is comparatively simpler in prokaryotic cells than in eukaryotic cells.
Step-by-step explanation:
The primary distinction between prokaryotic cells and eukaryotic cells is the presence of a membrane-bound nucleus in eukaryotes. Prokaryotic cells, such as those that make up bacteria and archaea, lack a nucleus and instead have a single circular chromosome that resides in a region called the nucleoid. These cells also do not contain other membrane-bound organelles and are generally smaller and simpler in structure compared to eukaryotic cells.
Eukaryotic cells, which are found in organisms like animals, plants, and fungi, possess a nuclei as well as multiple rod-shaped chromosomes. These cells house their DNA within the nucleus and have various other organelles that perform specific functions within the cell. In addition to a nucleus, eukaryotic cells also have complex structures such as mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum, and Golgi bodies, which are absent in prokaryotes.
Finally, cell division is more complex in eukaryotic cells due to the presence of multiple chromosomes within a membrane-bound nucleus as opposed to the single circular chromosome of prokaryotic cells. Both prokaryotes and eukaryotes share common structures such as the plasma membrane, cytoplasm, and ribosomes, which are essential for their respective cellular functions.