Question

Differentiate between

(a) Cell wall and cell membrane.

(b) Prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells.

Answer 1

(a)

Cell wall	Cell membrane
The cell wall is an additional, protective, rigid structure present outside the cell membrane.	The cell membrane is porous in nature and helps in the inward and outward movement of substances.
Cell wall is present only in plant cells.	Cell membrane is present in both animal and plant cells.
Plant cells do not move from one place to another and hence they require rigidity, which is provided by the cell wall.	The cell membrane is the outer boundary of the cell, which separates one cell from the other. It also separates the contents of the cell from its surrounding medium.

(b)

Characteristics	Prokaryotes	Eukaryotes
Size of the cell	Cells are small in size.	Cells vary in size and are generally larger than those in prokaryotes.
Nucleus	The nucleus does not have a nuclear membrane.	There is a well-defined nucleus with a nuclear membrane.
Membrane-enclosed organelles	Membrane-enclosed organelles are absent. (e.g., mitochondria, plastids)	Membrane-enclosed organelles are present.
Cell wall	The cell wall is usually present. It is composed of peptidoglycan.	The cell wall is usually present in plant cells. It is composed of cellulose.
Genetic material	The genetic material is present as a nucleoid i.e., a properly defined nucleus is absent.	The genetic material is present inside the well-defined nucleus.