Biology HL

2.2

Prokaryotic Cells

Pili

Ribosomes

Plasmid
Cell wall
Plasma
membrane

Nucleoid of
DNA

Capsule

Flagella

Fig. 1: Escherichia coli

(E. coli)
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Biology HL
2.2

Prokaryotic Cells
Prokaryotic cells are much smaller and simpler than eukaryotic cells. Most prokaryotic cells are
less than 1 m in diameter. Because of this, amongst other reasons, prokaryotic (pro = before;
karyon = kernel, referring to nucleus [Greek])cells are thought to have appeared on Earth first.
Bacteria are examples of prokaryotic cells, and they a large role in the world today.
Features of prokaryotic cells
Cell wall"
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It protects the cell from the outside environment and maintains the
shape of the cell. It also prevents the cell from bursting if internal
pressure rises. In most prokaryotic cells, this wall is composed of a
carbohydrate-protein complex called peptidoglycan. Some bacteria
have an additional layer of a type of polysaccharide outside the cell
wall. This layer makes it possible for some bacteria to adhere to
structures such as teeth, skin and food.

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A semi-permeable membrane that controls the substances moving

into and out of the cell. It contains integral and peripheral proteins
and has a composition similar to that of eukaryotic cells. Substances
pass through by either active or passive transport. The plasma
membrane plays a role in the binary fission of the prokaryotic cell.

Cytoplasm"
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The cytoplasm occupies the complete interior of the cell. It contains

many enzymes used to catalyse chemical reactions of metabolism
and it also contains the DNA in a region called the nucleoid.
Ribosomes are also found in the cytoplasm.
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There is no compartmentalisation in the cytoplasm which
means that all cellular process in prokaryotic cells occur in the
cytoplasm.

Pili"
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Pili are protein filaments protruding from the cell wall. They can be
pulled in or pushed out using a ratchet mechanism. They are used
for cell-to-cell adhesion, for example when bacteria stick together to
form aggregations of cells or when two cells are exchanging DNA
during a process called conjugation.

Flagella"
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Flagella are made of a protein called flagellin. They allow bacteria to

move around by the use of a motor protein that spins the flagellum
like a propeller (using energy). They are substantially longer than pili,
and their base is embedded in the cell wall. Unlike eukaryotic
flagella, they are solid and inflexible.

Ribosomes"
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Ribosomes occur in all prokaryotic cells and are the site of protein
synthesis (by translating messenger RNA [mRNA]). These small
structures (around 70 S in size) occur in large numbers and impart a
granular appearance to an electron micrograph of a prokaryotic cell.

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Biology HL
2.2

Prokaryotic Cells
Nucleoid"
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The region containing naked DNA which stores the hereditary

material (genetic information) that controls the cell and will be passed
on to daughter cells. The nucleoid region is non-compartmentalised
and contains a single, long, continuous thread of DNA that is not
associated with proteins (as in eukaryotic cells). The total amount of
DNA in prokaryotic cells is much less than that in eukaryotic cells.
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Because there are fewer ribosomes and proteins in the
nucleoid region of a prokaryotic cell, it is stained much less densely
than the rest of the cytoplasm.
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In addition to the bacterial chromosome, bacteria may also
contain plasmids. These small, circular DNA molecules are not
connected to the main bacterial chromosome, and replicate
independently of the chromosomal DNA. Plasmid DNA is not
required by the cell under normal conditions but it may help the cell
adapt to unusual circumstances.

Prokaryotic cells divide by binary fission.

It is a very simple process and is a method of asexual reproduction. During the process, the
DNA is copied, the two daughter chromosomes become attached to different regions on the
plasma membrane, and the cell divides into two genetically identical daughter cells. This
divisional process includes an elongation of the cell and a partitioning of the newly produced
DNA by microtubule-like fibres made of protein called FtsZ.
Summary of major distinguishing characteristics of prokaryotic cells
Their DNA is not enclosed within a membrane and is one circular chromosome.
Their DNA is free it is not attached to proteins.
They lack membrane bound organelles. Ribosomes are complex structures within the plasma
membrane, but they have no exterior membrane.
Their cell wall is made of a unique compound called peptidoglycan.
They usually divide by binary fission, a simple form of cell division.
They are characteristically small in size, usually 1-10 m.

Comparison of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells

The table on the following page compared prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. Those are just the
differences however. Prokaryotic cells and eukaryotic cells also have some features in common.
They both carry out all the functions of life.
DNA is present in both types of cell.
Both types of cell have some sort of outside boundary that involves a plasma membrane.

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Biology HL
2.2

Prokaryotic Cells

Prokaryotic cells

Eukaryotic cells

DNA in a ring form without any proteins

attached

DNA with proteins as chromosomes /

chromatin

DNA free in the cytoplasm (nucleoid region)

DNA enclosed within a nuclear envelope

(nucleus)

No mitochondria

Mitochondria present

70 S ribosomes

80 S ribosomes

No internal compartmentalisation to form

organelles

Internal compartmentalisation present to form

many types of organelle

Size less than 10 m

Size more than 10 m

Summary of features of prokaryotes

Cell wall protects the cell from the outside environment and maintains the shape of the cell. It
also prevents the cell from bursting if internal pressure rises.
Plasma membrane controls the substances moving into and out of the cell.
Cytoplasm is the medium in which all chemical reactions in the cell occur. It contains many
enzymes used to catalyse metabolic reactions and it also contains the DNA in a region called
the nucleoid. Ribosomes are found in the cytoplasm.
Pili help bacteria adhere to each other for the exchange of genetic material.
Flagella allow bacteria to move around.
Ribosomes are the site of protein synthesis (70 S size in prokaryotes) by translating mRNA.
Nucleoid is the region containing naked DNA which stores the hereditary material (genetic
information) that controls the cell and will be passed on to daughter cells.

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