Prokaryotes And Eukaryotes

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The most important distinction amongst organisms is thought to be the distinction between prokaryotes and eukaryotes. Eukaryotes are organisms that contain cells which are arranged into complex structures by internal membranes and a cytoskeleton. Eukaryotic cells have membrane-bound nucleus and many membrane-enclosed organelles such as the endoplasmic reticulum, mitochondria, lysosomes and Golgi apparatus, which are not found in prokaryotic cells. Most prokaryotes are unicellular, but some are multicellular.

Life on earth is classified into five kingdoms based on what an organism's cells are like. The main division is between cells of the prokaryote kingdom and the four eukaryote kingdoms which are animals, plants, fungi and protoctists. …show more content…

The plasma membrane is made up of a phospholipid bilayer with embedded proteins. Eukaryotes have carbohydrates embedded in their membranes while prokaryotes do not. Also, in eukaryotes, the plasma membrane is capable of endocytosis (capturing a substance into the cell) and exocytosis (releasing a substance outside of the cell).

Respiration is needed by all living cells. Double-membrane bound organelles called mitochondria provide cellular chemical energy by synthesising energy compounds (ATP) in eukaryotic cells. Similar processes take place in prokaryotes across the cell membrane. Invaginations of the plasma membrane in prokaryotic cells serve as surface areas for the reaction. The respiratory membrane in this section is known as a mesosome and contains enzymes associated with respiration.

Chloroplasts in the plant and algae cells of eukaryotes, trap light energy in a green plastid know as chlorophyll and uses it to convert carbon dioxide and water into glucose and oxygen. This process is called photosynthesis. Some prokaryotes have complex infoldings of the plasma membrane, such as mesosomes. In this case, chlorophylls and enzymes are embedded to form thylakoids. These photosynthetic membranes are only present in the photosynthetic bacteria of

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