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Index >> Microbial Cells >> Procaryotic Cell

Procaryotic Cell

Procaryotic Cell
The procaryotic cell, is characterized by the absence of the ER and the cytoplasmic membrane is the only unit membrane of the cell. However, this membrane may be sometimes infolded deep into the cytoplasm. Electron microscopy' of most procaryotes reveals only two internal regions, the cytoplasm and the nucleoplasm. The cytoplasm is granular in appearance and contains ribosomes that are smaller in size as the compared to eucaryotic risbsomes.

The nucleoplasm is fibrillar and contains DNA Expert in mycoplasmas, other procaryotes contain a defined, rigid cell wall. No membranous structures similar to the mitochondria or chloroplasts are seen in the procaryotes. The cytoplasmic membrane is the site of the respiratory electron transport in procaryotes.

In photosynthetic bacteria, the photosynthetic apparatus is located in a series of membranous, flattened structures similar to the thylakoids and these structures are not organized into chloroplasts but are dispersed in the cytoplasm. The cytoplasmic membrane contains specific sites for DNA attachment and also has a major role in cell division. The cell membrane, unlike in the eucaryotic cell does not generally contain sterols and polyunsaturated fatty acids. The fatty acids present are generally of the saturated type.

The genetic material in the procaryotic cells is located in the ‘nucleoplasm’ which lacks a defined nuclear membrane. It consists of double helical DNA without any associated basic proteins. The size of the DNA in procaryotic protists is much smal1er than that in eucaryotes.

Procaryotes also contain extra chromosomal DNA, which can replicate autonomously called the plasmids. These can be lost from the cell without impairment of cell viability. Procaryotic cells exist in a haploid state and divide by a process very similar to mitosis although distinct stages are not recognized.

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