Eukaryotic cells have internal membranes that compartmentalize their functions, unlike prokaryotic cells. Eukaryotic cells are characterized by having DNA contained within a nucleus, membrane-bound organelles, and a cytoplasm divided into the region inside and outside the nucleus. In contrast, prokaryotic cells lack a nucleus and organelles, and have their DNA located in the nucleoid region of the cytoplasm. A eukaryotic cell uses internal membranes to partition the cell into membrane-bound organelles that carry out specialized functions.

1. Concept : Eukaryotic cells have internal
membranes that compartmentalize their
functions
• The basic structural and functional unit of every
organism is one of two types of cells: prokaryotic or
eukaryotic
• Only organisms of the domains Bacteria and Archaea
consist of prokaryotic cells
• Protists, fungi, animals, and plants all consist of
eukaryotic cells

2. Comparing Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic
Cells
• Basic features of all cells
– Plasma membrane
– Semifluid substance called cytosol
– Chromosomes (carry genes)
– Ribosomes (make proteins)

3. • Prokaryotic cells are characterized by having
– No nucleus
– DNA in an unbound region called the nucleoid
– No membrane-bound organelles
– Cytoplasm bound by the plasma membrane

4. Figure 6.5
Fimbriae
Nucleoid
Ribosomes
Plasma
membrane
Bacterial
chromosome Cell wall
Capsule
0.5 µm
(a) A typical Flagella (b) A thin section
rod-shaped through the
bacterium bacterium Bacillus
coagulans (TEM)

5. Figure 6.5a
0.5 µm
(b) A thin section through the
bacterium Bacillus coagulans
(TEM)

6. • Eukaryotic cells are characterized by having
– DNA in a nucleus that is bounded by a
membranous nuclear envelope
– Membrane-bound organelles
– Cytoplasm in the region between the plasma
membrane and nucleus
• Eukaryotic cells are generally much larger than
prokaryotic cells

7. Figure 6.8a
ENDOPLASMIC RETICULUM (ER)
Nuclear
Rough Smooth envelope
Flagellum ER ER NUCLEUS
Nucleolus
Chromatin
Centrosome
Plasma
membrane
CYTOSKELETON:
Microfilaments
Intermediate filaments
Microtubules
Ribosomes
Microvilli
Golgi apparatus
Peroxisome
Mitochondrion Lysosome

8. Figure 6.8c
Nuclear Rough
envelope endoplasmic
NUCLEUS reticulum Smooth
Nucleolus endoplasmic
reticulum
Chromatin
Ribosomes
Central vacuole
Golgi
apparatus Microfilaments
Intermediate CYTOSKELETON
filaments
Microtubules
Mitochondrion
Peroxisome
Plasma membrane Chloroplast
Cell wall Plasmodesmata
Wall of adjacent cell

9. A Panoramic View of the Eukaryotic Cell
• A eukaryotic cell has internal membranes that
partition the cell into organelles
• Plant and animal cells have most of the same
organelles

10. BioFlix: Tour of an Animal Cell

11. BioFlix: Tour of a Plant Cell