Difference in the shape of the chromosome present in each type of cell i.e. circular for prokaryotic cells and linear for eukaryotic cells
Explanation:
The cell of a living organism can either be prokaryotic or eukaryotic depending on whether the cell possesses a membrane-bound nucleus that houses the genetic material (DNA). The genetic material of every living cell is the DNA, which generally consists of two long polynucleotide chains composed of four types of building block units called nucleotides. These nuceleotides are Adenine, Guanine, Cytosine and Thymine. Each of these chains is called a strand, hence, DNA is a double-stranded molecule.
However, in a cell, the long DNA cannot ordinarily fit into the cell without a form of compaction. The cell then devise a means in order for its genetic material to fit into the cell by wrapping it around certain proteins called HISTONES, and further coiling it to form a structure called CHROMOSOME. The chromosome is the structure that contains the DNA in every cell.
However, the structure of the DNA in every cell is very much the same but the shape of the chromosome that carries it is what differs. Chromosomes in prokaryotic cells are found as a single CIRCULAR shape while the chromosome of eukaryotes are LINEAR in shape.
