From Seed to Seed:
Plant Science for K-8 Educators

Digging Deeper

Prokaryotic Cells versus Eukaryotic Cell

The presence or absence of a distinct nucleus is what distinguishes a prokaryotic cell from a eukaryotic cell. In prokaryotes (Gr. pro = before; karyon = nucleus), the chromosomes are not surrounded by a nuclear envelope. In eukaryotes (Gr. eu = true; karyon = nucleus), they are. Although this is the most apparent difference, there are other distinguishing characteristics between these two types of cells. Not surprisingly, prokaryotes are considered to be more primitive than eukaryotes and were once the only form of life found on the planet. Archaea and bacteria-including cyanobacteria, or blue-green algae-are prokaryotes. The cells of all other organisms are eukaryotic.

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