A Nucleus and a Nucleoid are genetic structures in which the genetic information gets incorporated into the genetic material. They are both areas in a living organism that controls the inheritance and cellular functions.
They also have a similar genetic material, DNA. Although the Nucleus and Nucleoid have some similarities, they differ from each other in many ways.
Key Takeaways
- The nucleus is a membrane-bound organelle found in eukaryotic cells and contains DNA.
- Nucleoid is an irregular-shaped region found in prokaryotic cells that also contain DNA.
- The nucleus is more complex than the nucleoid and is responsible for various cellular functions.
Nucleus vs Nucleoid
Nucleus is a membrane-bound organelle found in eukaryotic cells. It is the control center of the cell because it contains the genetic material (DNA) that controls the cell’s activities. Nucleoid is a region in prokaryotic cells where the genetic material (DNA) is located. A membrane does not surround Nucleoid, and the DNA is not organized into chromosomes.
Want to save this article for later? Click the heart in the bottom right corner to save to your own articles box!
The Nucleus is the most extensive and most vital membrane-bound cell organelle within a eukaryotic cell. The genetic material of the eukaryotic cells is stored and housed in DNA by Nucleus.
The Nucleus is large and contains numerous chromosomes.
It is a well-organized, spherically shaped organelle surrounded by a double layer membrane called the nuclear membrane. DNA, RNA, enzymes, dissolved ions, and other subnuclear bodies make up most of the Nucleus.
The unevenly shaped region containing the genetic material of the prokaryotic cell is known as the Nucleoid. The genetic material of the prokaryotes is stored and homed in the cytoplasm by the Nucleoid.
The Nucleoid is small and contains a single chromosome. It is a poorly organized, irregularly shaped organelle lacking a protective membrane. DNA, RNA, enzymes, and other proteins make up most of a Nucleoid.
Comparison Table
| Parameters of Comparison | Nucleus | Nucleoid |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | The Nucleus is the most extensive and most vital membrane-bound cell organelle within a eukaryotic cell. | The unevenly shaped region containing the genetic material of the prokaryotic cell is known as the Nucleoid. |
| Shape | Spherical shaped. | Is irregular and uneven in shape. |
| Size | Is large in size. | Is small in size. |
| Arrangement | Well-organized. | Poorly organized. |
| Role | The genetic material of the eukaryotic cells is stored and housed in DNA by Nucleus. | The genetic material of the prokaryotes is stored and homed in the cytoplasm by the Nucleoid |
| Chromosome | Contains numerous chromosomes. | Contains a single chromosome, that is the circular DNA molecule. |
| Membrane | A double-layered nuclear membrane surrounds the nucleus. | Does not possess a protective membrane. |
What is Nucleus?
The Nucleus is the most extensive and most vital membrane-bound cell organelle within a eukaryotic cell. The genetic material of the eukaryotic cells is stored and housed in DNA by Nucleus.
It is separated from other organelles within the cell by a double-layered nuclear membrane. DNA, RNA, enzymes, dissolved ions, and other subnuclear bodies make up most of the Nucleus.
The spherical-shaped Nucleus is large and contains numerous chromosomes. It is also well-organized and has Nucleoplasm and Nucleolus present. The Nucleus coordinates cellular activities like growth and reproduction.
What is Nucleoid?
The unevenly shaped region containing the genetic material of the prokaryotic cell is known as the Nucleoid. The genetic material of the prokaryotes is stored and homed in the cytoplasm by the Nucleoid.
The Nucleoid does not possess a protective membrane. Consequently, it is not separated from the rest of the prokaryotic components.
DNA, RNA, enzymes, and other proteins make up most of a Nucleoid.
They are uneven and irregular in shape and contain a single chromosome, that is, the circular DNA molecule.
The irregular-shaped Nucleoid is poorly organized and is small in size. There is an absence of Nucleoplasm and Nucleolus in a Nucleoid.
Main Differences Between a Nucleus and Nucleoid
- The Nucleus is the most extensive and most vital membrane-bound cell organelle within a eukaryotic cell, whereas the unevenly shaped region containing the genetic material of the prokaryotic cell is known as the Nucleoid.
- The genetic material of the eukaryotic cells is stored and housed in DNA by Nucleus, whereas the genetic material of the prokaryotes is stored and homed in the cytoplasm by the Nucleoid.
- The nucleus has a spherical shape, whereas, Nucleoid has an irregular and uneven shape.
- The nucleus contains numerous chromosomes, whereas the Nucleoid consists of a single chromosome, that is, the circular DNA molecule.
- The nucleus is surrounded by a double layer nuclear membrane, whereas, Nucleoid does not possess a protective membrane.
- As opposed to nucleoids, which are small and poorly organized, the nucleus is large and well-organized.
- The nucleus is separated from other organelles within the cell by a double-layered nuclear membrane. On the other hand, Nucleoid does not possess a protective membrane. Consequently, it is not separated from the rest of the prokaryotic components.
References
- https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/mmi.12404
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1874939911002100
I’ve put so much effort writing this blog post to provide value to you. It’ll be very helpful for me, if you consider sharing it on social media or with your friends/family. SHARING IS ♥️
Piyush Yadav has spent the past 25 years working as a physicist in the local community. He is a physicist passionate about making science more accessible to our readers. He holds a BSc in Natural Sciences and Post Graduate Diploma in Environmental Science. You can read more about him on his bio page.
