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What is the difference between a prokaryote and a eukaryote? Which one came first?

Organisms can be categorized as either prokaryotes or eukaryotes. A prokaryote is a simple organism and is unicellular in nature. Bacteria are prokaryotes or prokaryotic organisms. In comparison, a eukaryote is a complex organism and is multicellular in nature. Animals (including human beings), plants, etc., all are eukaryotes or eukaryotic organisms. Eukaryotes are much more complex in comparison to prokaryotes and have dedicated systems for carrying out life functions.


Life originated in the form of the simplest organisms and later on more complexity was developed. Hence, prokaryotes developed first and eukaryotes evolved out of prokaryotes. From the fossil records, it has been established that prokaryotes were present on Earth as far as 3.5 billion years ago, about 1 billion years after Earth was formed. In comparison, eukaryotes appeared around 1.7 billion years ago. 


Hope this helps. 

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