Prokaryotic vs Eukaryotic Cells – NEET Biology Notes

Chapter: Cell – The Unit of Life
Unit: Cell Biology
Exam Focus: NEET (High-Yield Comparison Topic)

Introduction

Living organisms are made up of cells that are broadly classified into prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells.
The main difference between them lies in the presence or absence of a true nucleus and membrane-bound organelles.

Understanding this comparison is extremely important for NEET, as it is frequently tested through MCQs and match-the-following questions.

What are Prokaryotic Cells?

Prokaryotic cells are simple and primitive cells that lack a true nucleus and membrane-bound organelles.

Key Features

• No nuclear membrane

• Genetic material is naked DNA

• Organelles like mitochondria, ER, Golgi are absent

• Ribosomes are 70S

• Cell wall usually made of peptidoglycan

Examples

• Bacteria

• Cyanobacteria (blue-green algae)

• Mycoplasma

What are Eukaryotic Cells?

Eukaryotic cells are complex cells that have a well-defined nucleus and membrane-bound organelles.

Key Features

• True nucleus with nuclear membrane

• DNA is associated with histone proteins

• Membrane-bound organelles present

• Ribosomes are 80S

• Larger in size compared to prokaryotes

Examples

• Plant cells

• Animal cells

• Fungi

• Protists

Difference Between Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic Cells (NEET Table)

NEET Important Points ⭐

• Mesosomes are infoldings of plasma membrane in prokaryotes

• Plasmids are extra-chromosomal DNA in bacteria

• Mycoplasma is the smallest living cell

• Prokaryotic cells do not show mitosis

Common NEET Traps ⚠️

• ❌ Ribosomes in mitochondria and chloroplasts are 70S, not 80S

• ❌ Prokaryotes do not have membrane-bound organelles

• ✔ Plant cells are eukaryotic despite having a cell wall

• ✔ Bacterial DNA is not enclosed by a nuclear membrane

Quick Revision Box ⏱️

• Prokaryotes → No nucleus, no organelles

• Eukaryotes → True nucleus present

• 70S ribosomes → Prokaryotes

• 80S ribosomes → Eukaryotes

• Binary fission → Prokaryotes

NEET Practice MCQs

Q1. Ribosomes present in prokaryotic cells are:
A) 80S
B) 60S
C) 70S
D) 90S

Answer: C

Q2. Which of the following is a prokaryote?
A) Amoeba
B) Paramecium
C) Bacteria
D) Yeast

Answer: C

Q3. Mesosomes are associated with:
A) Nucleus
B) Mitochondria
C) Plasma membrane
D) Ribosomes

Answer: C

One-Line NEET Takeaway ⭐

The presence of a true nucleus and membrane-bound organelles distinguishes eukaryotic cells from prokaryotic cells.

Prokaryotic vs Eukaryotic Cells – NEET Biology Notes PDF