Differences between Eukaryotic and Prokaryotic Chromosomes

Prokaryotes Chromosomes

1) It is a circular, double stranded DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid) which can be found in a nucleoid.
2) It has a smaller size as compared to eukaryotic chromosomes. (DNA content)
3) It has one origin of replication
4) There is an absence of telomeres, because it is circular.
5) There is an absence of a centromere as it does not divide by mitosis, but binary fission.
6) Lower amount of intergenic regions. (Does not contain introns, hence few regulatory sequences needed)
7) Higher gene density.
8) Genes are arranged in operons (multiple genes under control of the same promoter).
9) Usually only 1 chromosome.
10) It contains extrachromosomal DNA. (Circular DNA forms plasmids.)
11) Haploid (Having a single set of unpaired chromosomes).
12) Chromosomes wound around basic proteins, similar to histones.
13) High degree of compaction, folding into looped domains.
14) DNA is transcribed into mRNA and used immediately in translation.
15) There is no compartmentalization of transcription and translation process during protein synthesis.

Eukaryotes Chromosomes

1) It is a linear, double stranded DNA which can be found in a membrane-bound nucleus.
2) It is a larger as compared to prokaryotes. (DNA content)
3) There are multiple origins of replications.
4) There is the presence of telomere to protect the chromosomal ends.
5) There is the presence of centromere to ensure equal division of genetic material during mitosis.
6) Higher amount of intergenic regions. (Contains introns, hence more regulatory sequences.)
7) Lower gene density.
8) Each gene has its own promoter.
9) It has multiple chromosomes.
10) There are not extra chromosomes DNA with nucleus. (No plasmids are formed)
11) Can exist as haploid, diploid, or polyploid.
12) The chromosomes wound around histone proteins.
13) Very high degree of compaction, folding into chromatin fibers, looping and coiling and eventual compaction into fully condensed chromosomes.
14) After transcription, pre-mRNA has to be processed and intron splicing occurs before the mRNA is used in translation.
15) There is compartmentalizaiton in the cell which enables transcription to occur in the nucleus and translation to occur outside the nucleus.

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I hope this would be one of our ESSAY question in our promotional examination.