Prokaryotic vs. Eukaryotic Cells: What's the Difference?

Pedro_P

━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━

Plant cells are the only eukaryotic cells that have a rigid cell wall.
Credit: Shutterstock
▼  Prokaryotic cells and eukaryotic cells are the two types of cells that exist on Earth. There are several differences between the two, but the biggest distinction between them is that eukaryotic cells have a distinct nucleus containing the cell's genetic material, while prokaryotic cells don't have a nucleus and have free-floating genetic material instead.
From prokaryotic cells to eukaryotic cells
All living things can be divided into three basic domains: Bacteria, Archaea and Eukarya. The primarily single-celled organisms found in the Bacteria and Archaea domains are known as prokaryotes. These organisms are made of prokaryotic cells — the smallest, simplest and most ancient cells.
Organisms in the Eukarya domain are made of the more complex eukaryotic cells. These organisms, called eukaryotes, can be unicellular or multicellular and include animals, plants, fungiand protists. Many people are unclear on whether yeasts or fungi are prokaryotes or eukaryotes. Both are eukaryotes and share similar cell structure to all other eukaryotes.
Eukaryotes developed at least 2.7 billion years ago, following 1 to 1.5 billion years of prokaryotic evolution, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Scientists hypothesize that the nucleus and other eukaryotic features may have first formed after a prokaryotic organism swallowed up another, according to the University of Texas. According to this theory, the engulfed organism would have then contributed to the functioning of its host.
What do prokaryotes and eukaryotes have in common?
Although prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells have many differences, they share some common features, including the following:  (▪ ▪ ▪)

► Please, continue reading this article here: Source