What is the difference between prokaryotic chromosomes and eukaryotic chromosomes

Eukaryotic Chromosomes. Prokaryotic Chromosomes. DNA Structure. When you select "Subscribe" you will start receiving our email newsletter. Use the links at the bottom of any email to manage the type of emails you receive or to unsubscribe. See our privacy policy for additional details. Learn Site.

Eukaryotic vs. Most eukaryotic cells have multiple linear chromosomes, whereas prokaryotic cells have just one circular chromosome. Eukaryotic chromosomes are located within the nucleus, whereas prokaryotic chromosomes are located in the nucleoid. In eukaryotic chromosomes, DNA is wound around histone proteins, and then, it is further compacted by supercoiling and folding. In prokaryotic chromosomes, DNA is supercoiled and compacted by nucleoid-associated proteins. Here is a basic summary of the key differences between eukaryotic and prokaryotic chromosomes.

External Sources An overview of chromosome structure and cell division from Kenyon College. Get our awesome anatomy emails! Eukaryotic DNA replication is a complex process, which makes use of multiple protein subunits. Each eukaryotic chromosome contains multiple origins of replication; hence, multiple replication forks and bubbles are formed per chromosome.

Moreover, the process is slow and its rate is only base pairs per second. Prokaryotic chromosomes refer to the double-stranded circular DNA in prokaryotes while eukaryotic chromosomes refer to the long strands of DNA containing genetic information in eukaryotes.

A single chromosome makes up prokaryotic chromosomes while several chromosomes make up eukaryotic chromosomes. This is one difference between prokaryotic and eukaryotic chromosomes. Another difference between prokaryotic and eukaryotic chromosomes is that the prokaryotic chromosomes occur in the nucleoid while the eukaryotic chromosomes occur inside the nucleus. Moreover, prokaryotic genomes are haploid; hence, no homologous chromosomes occur in them while eukaryotic chromosomes often have a pairing homologous chromosome.

One more difference between prokaryotic and eukaryotic chromosomes is that the prokaryotic chromosomes are attached to the cytoplasm from the inside while eukaryotic chromosomes have no contact with the cytoplasm. Prokaryotic chromosomes are short, circular DNA molecules while eukaryotic chromosomes are long, linear DNA molecules.

The main difference between prokaryotic and eukaryotic chromosomes is this structure. Furthermore, prokaryotic chromosomes lack telomeres and centromeres while eukaryotic chromosomes have telomeres and centromeres.

Also, prokaryotic chromosomes associate with nucleoid-associated proteins, which help them for packing while eukaryotic chromosomes form special structures called nucleosomes by associating with histones. DNA replication is another difference between prokaryotic and eukaryotic chromosomes. Prokaryotic DNA replication occurs at the beginning of the cell division while eukaryotic DNA replication occurs during the S phase of the cell cycle. Besides, prokaryotic chromosomes contain a single origin of replication per chromosome while eukaryotic chromosomes contain several origins of replication per chromosome.

Another difference between prokaryotic and eukaryotic chromosomes is that prokaryotic genes are organized into operons while eukaryotic genes are regulated as individual structures.

Prokaryotic chromosomes encode for a few proteins while eukaryotic chromosomes encode for a large number of proteins. DNA takes this form following DNA replication during the process of cell division when the two replicated chromosomes, called chromatids, are highly condensed and still attached to one another at a point called the centromere.

Human chromosomes can be differentiated from one another under a microscope by their lengths and by the position of the centromere. Further Exploration Concept Links for further exploration S phase chromosome theory of inheritance nucleosome genome haplotype chromatin histones cell division anaphase recombination linkage allele meiosis prokaryote replication translation RNA polymerase DNA polymerase RNA mutation mapping haploid diploid eukaryote prometaphase principle of independent assortment spindle fibers gamete nucleus nucleic acid helicase telomere centromere gene chromosome territories DNA Principles of Inheritance.

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