Eukaryotic cells are significantly more complex than prokaryotic cells. Eukaryotic cells possess many more organelles than prokaryotes. Eukaryotic cells divide by a process known as mitosis. Mitosis is the process of forming (generally) identical daughter nuclei by replicating and dividing the original chromosomes, in effect making a cellular xerox. Commonly the two processes of cell division are confused. Mitosis only deals with the process by which a eukaryotic cell separates the chromosomes in its cell nucleus into two identical sets in two nuclei. Cytokinesis then seperates thee cytoplasm cytoplasm, organelles and cell membrane into two cells containing roughly equal shares of these cellular components.
>How do organelles differ between prokaryotes and eukaryotes?
Basic Organelles (rudimentary list):
-Golgi Bodies: packaging and secreting
-Nucleus: consists of nuclear membrane, chromatin (genetic information), and nucleolus
-endoplasmic reticulum
-mitochondria: break down nutrients into usable energy
-ribosomes: protein synthesis
-cytoplasm: the fluid inside of the cell
-cell membrane: regulates what goes in and out
-lysosomes: enzymes
-cell wall: protection
-chloroplasts: photosynthesis
Eukaryotic cells can contain all of the above, while prokaryotes generally lack all except cell walls, cell membranes, and ribosomes. The DNA of prokaryotes is contained within a region called the nucleoid.
Conclusion - The defining membrane-bound structure that sets eukaryotic cells apart from prokaryotic cells is the nucleus (a membrane bound organelle) within which the genetic material is carried. A nucleus allows for mitosis to occur. Lack of a nucleus only allows for binary fission.