2-40 Things that are different between eukaryotes and prokaryotes

(7382 Reads)

Table of Contents| Chapter Article List| Printable Version | Printable Chapter

[Prev] | [Next]

• Eukaryotes contain organelles that perform various specific functions for the cell.
• A highly organized cytoskeleton is present in eukaryotes.

Eukaryotes are typically more complex than prokaryotes and appear more organized when examined in the microscopic. This organization into different intracellular compartments likely reflects the demands of a more complex cellular system. It may also be that the formation of these separate organelles allowed the subsequent evolution of more elaborate cells. Figure 2-70 diagrams the various structures found in the typical eukaryotic cells. Note that chloroplasts are only found in photosynthetic organisms. The organelles are the nucleus, the mitochondria, the endoplasmic reticulum and the golgi apparatus. Internally eukaryotic cells have a cytoskeleton that determines cell structure and in plants this is supplemented by cell walls. We discuss these structures and their functions in eukaryotic cells in the following sections.

[Prev] | [Next]

Table of Contents| Chapter Article List| Printable Version | Printable Chapter