The Major Components of Life

Living things, animals, plants and prokaryotes require water and carbon for processes such as reproduction, growth and survival to occur. Water’s chemical formula, H2O has one hydrogen ion and one hydroxyl ion. It is polar molecule since hydrogen and hydroxyl ion have opposite charges. Due to this polarity and its ability to form hydrogen bonds, water acts as a good solvent for metabolic wastes produced in the body. It can also hold gases and is neutral; thus, does not react with fluids in living things (Simon, Dickey & Reece, 2013). Carbon is essential in living things since it can form biomolecules due to its ability to form four bonds with other elements. Water is the primary element required for life to be sustained hence NASA is looking for water in Mars to find out whether it is livable and can hold life.

Prokaryotic cells are tiny and simple while eukaryotic cells are usually large and complex. Prokaryotic cells are usually single celled while eukaryotic cells can either be single-celled or multi-celled. Prokaryotic cell not have a well-defined nucleus while eukaryotic cells have organelles, which include a nucleus (Simon, Dickey & Reece, 2013). Prokaryotes do not have inner membrane walls hence they have an open space comprised of plasma membrane, cytoplasm, and DNA. Eukaryotes has a nucleus bound by a membrane and other compartments called organelles, which all have specialized cellular functions similar to all body organs (Simon, Dickey & Reece, 2013). This limits the growth of prokaryotes more than eukaryotes since they have fewer cell components to carry out the various functions. However, the small size of prokaryotic cells enabled ions and organic molecules to spread faster in the cell. Similarly, waste products in the cell are excreted much faster. Eukaryotic cells have also evolved new adaptations that have enhanced cellular transport. Both prokaryotic cells and eukaryotic cells have become reliant on each other making them successful (Simon, Dickey & Reece, 2013).

Reference

Simon, E.J., Dickey, J. L. & Reece, J. B. (2013). Campbell Essential Biology 5th Edition: Pearson New International Edition. New York, NY: Pearson Education Limited