Eukaryotic cells contain membrane-bound organelles, including a nucleus. Eukaryotes can be single-celled or multi-celled, such as you, me, plants, fungi, and insects. Bacteria are an example of prokaryotes. Prokaryotic cells do not contain a nucleus or any other membrane-bound organelle.
There are several key differences between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. Eukaryotic cells are found in multicellular plants and animals, whereas prokaryotic cells are found in bacteria and archaea which are ususlly unicellular. I have summarised the key differences below:
Prokayotic cells do not have membrane-bound organelles, such as the endoplasmic reticulum or mitochondria.
Prokaryotic cells do not have a nucleus, instead they have circular DNA that is free in the cytoplasm.
Prokaryotic cells have smaller ribosomes than eukaryotic cells.
Prokaryotic cells have a cell wall. Their cell wall is made from a different material to a plant cell, a glycoprotein called murein.
Prokaryotic cells may also have a protective layer called a capsule, flagellum to aid in movement and one or more plasmids.
