Alternatively, use metal shadowing. Dissolve specimen, view film. Infinite depth of focus, in contrast to light scopes. R.P. around 2 nm at best, usually a bit poorer. Mount on block and scan.
Accepted wisdom is that bacteria are smaller than eukaryotes.
So size difference is, like many generalizations, only a useful yardstick, not an absolute truth. Basic Structures of Prokaryotic Cells. Only water, lipid-soluble materials pass freely. But cells have many specific protein carriers in membrane, carry out selective transport. View interactive pdb file of phospholipid .