These cells lack membrane- enclosed internal structures. This means that they do not have a nucleus or cytoplasmic organelles such as mitochondria or chloroplasts. Prokaryotes have rigid cell walls formed from protein like chains and sugars. In prokaryotic cells, mitosis does not occur. Mitosis is the replication of the chromosomes and the production of two nuclei in one cell.
Prokaryotes move by means of long, hair like structures called flagella.
Eukaryotic cells are considerably more complicated. These are the cells of plants, animals, and other familiar organisms. The DNA of these cells is organized into chromosomes and there are no plasmids. They also have other membrane- enclosed structures, or organelles, that prokaryotes lack. Eukaryotic cells range in size from 10- 100 micrometers and are structurally more complex than prokaryotic cells.