The primary differences between eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells lie in their structure and complexity. Eukaryotic cells are characterized by the presence of a true nucleus, which houses the cell’s genetic material, while prokaryotic cells do not have a nucleus; their DNA is located in a region called the nucleoid. Additionally, eukaryotic cells contain various membrane-bound organelles such as the endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondria, which perform specialized functions. In contrast, prokaryotic cells are generally simpler and smaller, lacking these organelles.
Another key difference is in organisms—eukaryotic cells are found in animals, plants, fungi, and protists, while prokaryotic cells make up the domain of bacteria and archaea. One common misconception is that all cells have a plasma membrane; both eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells possess a plasma membrane, which serves as a barrier and regulates what enters and exits the cell.