Prokaryotes are all single-cell organisms, and include bacteria, and bacteria-like Archaea. Prokaryotic cells are much simpler than the more evolutionarily advanced eukaryotic cell. Whereas eukaryotic cells have many different functional compartments, divided by membranes, prokaryotes only have one membrane, the plasma membrane, which encloses all of the cell’s internal contents. If a eukaryotic cell is analogous to a big house with many different rooms, a prokaryotic cell is like a one-room, studio apartment.

Here is a list and description of the main cellular components of prokaryotes. Labeled diagrams of prokaryotic cells are included at the end of the article: