In general, prokaryotic cells are smaller and less complex than eukaryotic cells. They lack membrane-bound organelles (such as mitochondria) and contain a nucleoid region instead of a membrane-bound nucleus. They do have ribosomes, but those are small (70S) and composed of one 30S and one 50S subunit. Only eukaryotic ribosomes are 80S. Finally, both prokaryotes and eukaryotes are encased in cell membranes.

One difference between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells is the organization and storage of genetic material. Both use DNA in the double-helix structure. In eukaryotes, this DNA is stored as chromatin or chromosomes within the nucleus, but in prokaryotes it is stored in a circular bundle known as the nucleoid in the cytoplasm.

When comparing prokaryotes to eukaryotes, the main fact to remember is that prokaryotes do not contain membrane-bound organelles. This means they have no mitochondria, Golgi apparatus, or endoplasmic reticulum. They also lack a membrane-bound nucleus, although they do have genetic material located in a nucleoid region. Prokaryotic cells are surrounded by a plasma membrane, and some types of bacteria have cell walls as well.

Prokaryotic cells differ from eukaryotic cells in that they lack any membrane-bound organelles, including a nucleus. Instead, prokaryotic cells simply have an outer plasma membrane, DNA nucleoid structure, and ribosomes.

Rough endoplasmic reticulum, peroxisomes, and mitochondria are all bound by their own plasma membranes, and are only found in eukaryotic cells. Centrioles are a component of the cytoskeleton of eukaryotic cells, but are not found in prokaryotes.

The organism is likely a prokaryotic organism, since it lacks a nuclear membrane and mitochondria. Prokaryotes lack all membrane-bound organelles, including nuclei, mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum, chloroplasts, and lysosomes.

Both prokaryotes and eukaryotes contain ribosomes. Ribosomes are not membrane-bound, and are primarily composed of rRNA. Prokaryotes require ribosomes in order to synthesize proteins.

Cilia are composed of microtubules. While many prokaryotes have cilia, we cannot draw any conclusions without knowing more about the identity of the organism.

Prokaryotic cells are simple cells that lack membrane-bound nuclei and complex organelles. Endoplasmic reticulum, microtubules, and the Golgi apparatus are unique to eukaryotic cells, and will not be found in prokaryotes. Prokaryotes do, however, contain ribosomes, though smaller than the ribosomes in eukaryotic cells. Prokaryotes and eukaryotes are both capable of the main processes of the central dogma: DNA replication, transcription, and translation. For this to be possible, prokaryotes must contain DNA, transcription proteins, RNA, and ribosomes.

Unlike eukaryotes, prokaryotes have no membrane-bound organelles. This means that they lack a nucleus, mitochondria, and other advanced cell structures.

All cells rely on protein components in order to function. Protein synthesis takes place on ribosomes, which can be found in all cell types. In prokaryotes, ribosomes are free floating the cytoplasm; in eukaryotes, ribosomes can be free floating in the cytoplasm, bound to the rough endoplasmic reticulum, in mitochondria, or in chloroplasts.

To compare each trait, consider a bacterium as an example of a prokaryote and a plant or animal cell as an example of a eukaryote.

I. Contains membrane-bound organelles—membrane-bound organelles are a defining characteristic of eukaryotes, and are not found in prokaryotes.

II. Undergoes glycolysis—glycolysis is used by both prokaryotes and eukaryotes as a part of cellular respiration

III. Contains ribosomes—ribosomes are responsible for protein synthesis. All living cells must be capable of synthesizing proteins in order to function.

IV. Has a cell wall—cell walls are not found in animal cells, but are present in plant cells and bacteria.

Glycolysis, ribosomes, and cell walls can be found in both eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells.

Prokaryotes are devoid of a nucleus, so their genetic material is contained in a specific region called the nucleoid. While not all eukaryotes will have flagella and cell walls, plant cells have cell walls and sperm cells have flagella. Mitochondria are found in eukaryotes, not prokaryotes.

The state of genetic material differs between eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells. Eukaryotic cells contain multiple linear chromosomes, called "true" chromosomes, while prokaryotic cells contain circular DNA molecules that are not true chromosomes, since they lack histones. Prokaryotic DNA molecules have only one copy of each gene and little repetitive and non-coding DNA, contributing to the compact nature of the prokaryotic genome. 

The key difference between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells is that eukaryotes contain membrane-bound organelles, while prokaryotic cells do not. Chloroplasts, lysosomes, and nuclei are all membrane-bound organelles that may be present in eukaryotic cells only. Cytoplasm can be found in both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. The cytoplasm is not a membrane-bound organelle within the cell, but a fluid compartment that provides support to the cell and is the site of many metabolic reactions. The cytoplasm is largely composed of water.