Prokaryotes vs. Eukaryotes

Prokaryotes are the earliest and simplest cells on Earth. Eukaryotes are more modern cells. All the cells described so far are eukaryotic.

In prokaryotes, there is no nucleus and genetic material floats freely in the cytoplasm. Prokaryotes also lack all the other organelles except for cell walls and ribosomes. Additionally, the cell walls in prokaryotic organisms are made of peptidoglycan instead of cellulose and the ribosomes are smaller.