General Biology 1

Module 2
Prokaryotic vs Eukaryotic

____________________
Name of Student

Vernadeth B. Toralba
Subject Teacher
 Basic Education Department
School Year 2023-2024
1st Quarter
Module Duration: 1 week

I. Content Standard
The learners demonstrate and understanding of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells.

II. Performance Standard

The learners shall be able to construct 3D model of plant/animal/bacterial cell using recyclable
materials.

III. Learning Competencies

• Explain the postulates of the cell theory. (STEM_BIO11/12-Ia-c-1)
• Describe the structure and function of major and subcellular organelles. (STEM_BIO11/12-Ia-c-2)

IV. Learning Materials

• PowerPoint Presentation
• YouTube Videos/links
• Worksheet
• DWCC LMS (Moodle)

V. Routinary Activities

• Prayer
"May the darkness of sin and the night of unbelief vanish before the light of the Word and
the Spirit of grace and may the Heart of Jesus live in the hearts of all. Amen."

• Attendance
The subject teacher checks the attendance on their meeting day through the classroom
attendance sheet or DWCC Learning Management System (Moodle or Gsuit).

• Review of the Previews Lessons

The teacher will recap the past lesson that has been discussed last meeting about cell
theory and cell structure and functions.
VI. Lesson Proper
Specific Learning Objectives:
1. Describe a prokaryotic cell and a eukaryotic cell.
2. Differentiate prokaryotic from eukaryotic cell.
3. Compare and contrast the structure and function of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cell.
4. Construct a 3-D model of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cell.
Lesson 1: PROKARYOTIC vs EUKARYOTIC CELL
Prokaryotes are simple, small cells, whereas eukaryotic cells are complex, large structured and are
present in trillions which can be single celled or multicellular. Prokaryotic cells do not have a well-defined
nucleus but DNA molecule is located in the cell, termed as nucleoid, whereas eukaryotic cells have a well-
defined nucleus, where genetic material is stored. Based on the structure and functions, cells are broadly
classified as Prokaryotic cell and Eukaryotic cell.

Prokaryotic Cells are the most primitive kind of cells and lack few features as compared to the
eukaryotic cell. Eukaryotic cells have evolved from prokaryotic cells only but contain different types of
organelles like Endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi body, Mitochondria etc., which are specific in their functions. But
features like growth, response, and most importantly giving birth to the young ones are the commonly shared
by all living organisms.

In the following content, we will discuss the general difference between the two types of cells. As
these ‘cells’ are considered as the structural and functional unit of life, whether it’s a single cell organism like
bacteria, protozoa, or multicellular organisms like plants and animals.

Common Mistakes and Misconceptions

Eukaryotes can be unicellular- Many people think that eukaryotes are all multicellular, but this is not
the case. While prokaryotes are always unicellular organisms, eukaryotes can be either unicellular or
multicellular. For example, most protists are single celled eukaryotes.

Even though prokaryotes do not have a nucleus, they DO contain genetic information. Prokaryotes
generally have single circular chromosomes where they store their genetic information.

Though they sound negative, bacteria are very important, though they cause diseases they also play
significant roles which are beneficial for mankind. Some of these roles are the following:
a. Decomposers
b. Ancient producer of oxygen
c. Aids in digestion
d. Help in Nitrogen Cycle
e. Vector for genetic engineering purposes

Bacteria are classified under prokaryotic organism. It is separated from plants and animals which
have eukaryotic cell for several reasons.

Characteristics of Prokaryotic Cells

Pro means ‘old,’ and karyon means ‘nucleus,’ So as the name suggest the history of the evolution of
prokaryotic cells is at least 3.5 billion years old, but they are still important to us in many aspects like they are
used in industries for fermentation (Lactobacillus, Streptococcus), for research work, etc. In comparison to
eukaryotic cells, they lack few organelles and are not advanced as eukaryotes.

Generalized structure of Prokaryotic cell consists of the following:

a. Glycocalyx: This layer function as a receptor, the adhesive also provide protection to the cell wall.

b. Nucleoid: It is the location of the genetic material (DNA), large DNA molecule is condensed into the small
packet.

c. Pilus: Hair like hollow attachment present on the surface of bacteria, and is used to transfers of DNA to
other cells during cell-cell adhesion.

d. Mesosomes: It is the extension of the cell membrane, unfolded into the cytoplasm their role is during the
cellular respiration.

e. Flagellum: Helps in movement, attached to the basal body of the cell.

f. Cell Wall: It provides rigidity and support for the cell.

g. Fimbriae: Helps in attachment to the surface and other bacteria while mating. These are small hair-like
structure.

h. Inclusion/Granules: It helps in storage of carbohydrates, glycogen, phosphate, fats in the form of particles
which can be used when needed.

i. Ribosomes: Tiny particles which help in protein synthesis.

j. Cell membrane: Thin layer of protein and lipids, surrounds cytoplasm and regulate the flow of materials
inside and outside the cells.

k. Endospore: It helps cell in surviving during harsh conditions.

In terms of peptidoglycan present in the cell wall, prokaryotes can be divided into Gram-positive
and Gram -negative bacteria. The former contains a large amount of peptidoglycan in their cell wall while
the latter have the thin layer.

CHARACTERISTICS OF EUKARYOTIC CELLS

Eu means ‘new,’ and karyon means ‘nucleus,’ so these are the advanced type of cells found in plant,
animals, and fungi. Eukaryotic cells have a well-defined nucleus and different organelles to perform different
functions within the cell, though working is complex to understand.
This kind of cells are found in algae, fungi, protozoa, plants, and animals and can be single-celled,
colonial or multicellular. Among them, fungi and protists (algae and protozoa) are the major kingdoms.

The General Structure of Eukaryotic Cells Contain:

a. Nucleus: Eukaryotic cells have a well-defined nucleus where DNA (genetic material) is stored, it helps in
the production of protein synthesis and ribosomes also. The chromosome is present inside the nucleus,
 which is surrounded by the nuclear envelope. It is a bi-lipid layer and controls the passage of ions and
molecules.

b. Cytoplasm: It is the location where other organelles are located, and other metabolic activities of the cell
also take place here.

c. Mitochondria: It is called ‘the powerhouse of the cell,’ and is responsible for making ATP. Mitochondria
has its own DNA and ribosomes.

d. Chloroplast: These are found in algae and plants, it is one of the most important organelles in the plant
which helps in converting energy sunlight into chemical energy through photosynthesis. They resemble
mitochondria.
e. Golgi body: The exact nature of Golgi varies, but it helps in the packaging of materials and in
secreting them.

f. Lysosomes and Vacuoles – The most important function of Endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi apparatus
is the synthesis of g. Lysosomes, which helps in digestion of intracellular molecules with the help of the
enzyme called hydrolase.

g. Vacuoles are the membrane-bound cavities containing fluid as well as solid materials, and they engulf
materials through endocytosis.

h. Endoplasmic Reticulum: It transport lipids, proteins, and other materials through the cell. They are of two
types of smooth endoplasmic reticulum and rough endoplasmic reticulum.

i. Appendages: Cilia and Flagella are locomotory attachments, helps in the movement of a cell towards
positive stimuli. Cilia are shorter than flagella and numerous.

j. Cell Wall: Cell Wall provides shapes, rigidity, and support to the cell. Compositions of the cell wall may
vary of different organisms but which can be of either cellulose, pectin, chitin or peptidoglycan.

k. Cytoplasmic Membrane/Plasma Membrane: It is a thin semipermeable, surrounding the cytoplasm, it acts

as the barrier of the cell which regulates entry and exit of the substances inside and outside the cell. This
layer is made up of two layers of phospholipids embedded with proteins. In Plant cell, this layer is present
below the cell wall whereas in the Animal cell it is the outermost layer.

l. Ribosomes: Though small in size but are present in numbers, they help in protein synthesis. Eukaryotes
have 80S ribosomes which are further divided into two subunits which are 40S and 60S (S stands for
Sedverg unit).

m. Cytoskeleton: It is supporting framework of the cells, which is of two types Microtubules and
Microfilaments. Microtubules have a diameter of about 24 nanometers (nm), made up of a protein called
tubulin, while Microfilaments has a diameter of 6nm, made of the protein called actin. Microtubules are
the largest filament and Microfilament the smallest one.
Key Difference Between Prokaryotic Cells and Eukaryotic Cells

These are the substantial difference between Prokaryotic Cells and Eukaryotic Cell:
1. Prokaryotic cells are the primitive kind of cell, whose size varies from 0.5-3µm, they are generally
found in single-cell organisms, while Eukaryotic cells are the modified cell structure containing different
components in it, their size varies from 2-100µm, they are found in multicellular organisms.
2. Organelles like mitochondria, ribosomes, Golgi body, endoplasmic reticulum, cell wall, chloroplast,
etc. are absent in prokaryotic cells, while these organelles are found in eukaryotic organisms. Though cell wall
and chloroplast are not found in the animal cell, it is present in the green plant cell, few bacteria, and algae.

3. The main difference between Prokaryotic cells and the Eukaryotic cell is the nucleus, which is not
well defined in prokaryotes whereas it is well structured, compartmentalized and functional in eukaryotes.

4. Cell organelles are present which are membrane-bound and have individual functions in
eukaryotic cells; many organelles are absent in prokaryotic cells.
5. In prokaryotes, the cell division takes place through conjugation, transformation, and transduction
but in eukaryotes, it is through the process of cell division.

6. The process of transcription and translation occurs together, and there is a single origin of
replication in the prokaryotic cell. On the other hand, there are multiple origins of replication and transcription
occurs in nucleus and translation in the cytosol.

7. Genetic Material (DNA) is circular and double-stranded in Prokaryotes, but in Eukaryotes, it is

linear and double-stranded.

8. Prokaryotes reproduce asexually; commonly Prokaryotes have a sexual mode of reproduction.

9. Prokaryotes are the simplest, smallest and most abundantly found cells on earth; Eukaryotes are
larger and complex cells.
 VII. Agreement

For Learning Activity please write your answer on the Worksheet/Activity sheet provided or on a one
whole sheet of paper. You will pass the activity on Friday. You may also take a photo of your activity with
answer and upload it on our LMS.
You should also check your LMS account for some announcement and/or online quizzes.

VIII. Assessment

The teacher will announce an online or on site assessment/ quiz / quarterly assessment.

IX. References
• Claveria, F.G. & et. al. (2016). Teaching Guide for Senior High School: General Biology 1 –
Specialized subject | Academic – STEM. 4th Floor, Commission on Higher Education, C.P. Garcia
Ave., Diliman, Queson City, Philippines: Commission on Higher Education.
• Miller, S. A. (2001). General Zoology: Laboratory Manual. McGraw-Hill Book Co – Singapore.

Prepared by:

MS. VERNADETH B. TORALBA

Academic Coordinator

Recommended by:

MR. WYNDELL S. GASPAN III

School Principal

Approved by:

BR. HUBERTUS GURU, SVD

Basic Education Director/VPAA