In your opinion, are prokaryotes or eukaryotes more successful life forms?

Question

Use evidence or facts to back up your argument!

Answer 1

I would have to say that prokaryotes are successful they have been around two billion years longer that the eukaryotic cell. The eukaryotic cell wouldn't even be around if it wasn't for the prokaryotic cell to engage in endosymbiosis. But, because of all of the membrane bound organelles living the eukayote, It is more successful. they are fascinating how they make up our bodies and maintain our internal homeostasis

Answer 2

I'm in agreement with most of these answers that prokaryotes are more successful, by the math.

However, eukaryotes are a lot more interesting. It's pretty amazing what cells can do when they work together in large macro-organisms like us. Just think of the human brain; a great example of some of the most beautiful and complex interactions between cells that you can find in nature.

At the end of the day, I'm inclined to put my vote for quality of life, rather than quantity, in my definition of 'success'. Bacteria may be everywhere, and yes it is true that we couldn't even live without them, but you don't see bacteria composing music, or exploring space.

Answer 3

Success of a species is basically its ability to keep its genome in circulation. Prokaryotes have a far better track record in that catagory. However, I think Eukaryotes have a much higher quality of life.

Answer 4

It depends on your definition of success.

If you're refering to population numbers that Prokaryotes win by an outrageous amount as there are more Prokarotes on a square inch of any surface then there are Eukaryotes on the entire planet. If you're refering to adaptability then Prokaryotes win again as they can easily mutate and successfully adapt to virtually any situation. In terms of overall complexity the Eukaryotes win as they are capable of much more intricate processes and functions in general.

Answer 5

I feel that overall, prokaryotes are more successful. They have adapted to provide energy for themselves rather than depend on other life forms for survival. As humans, we depend on prokaryotes for the basis of our existence. Because of this dependancy, we are far less successful than them.

Answer 6

Prokaryotes are more successful. They appear in every environment in which there is any life at all, on Earth.

Answer 7

ProK: advantage = reproduce fast, disad = no variation
EuK = ad = varied, complex, dis = slow repro < proK, depend on ProK for many metabolic process

HOWEVER, both life forms still exist, proving that both are successful. Which is more successful? It's quite subjective. The final point is SURVIVAL SURVIVAL. If you survive, you're successful.

Answer 8

By almost any biological measure, it's prokaryotes.