Definition · Plain-language
Eukaryotic cell
A eukaryotic cell is a complex cell that keeps its DNA inside a nucleus and contains membrane-bound organelles, found in animals, plants, fungi and protists.
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A cell with a true nucleus
A eukaryotic cell is defined by having a true nucleus — a membrane-bound compartment that holds the cell’s DNA, organised into chromosomes. The name comes from Greek words meaning "true kernel". By wrapping the genetic material inside a membrane, the cell protects and controls it separately from the rest of the cell’s activities. All animals, plants, fungi and protists are eukaryotes, which means every organism you can see with the naked eye is built from eukaryotic cells.
Organelles do specialised jobs
As well as a nucleus, a eukaryotic cell contains other membrane-bound organelles, each carrying out a particular job. Mitochondria release energy by respiration; in plant cells, chloroplasts capture light for photosynthesis. This division of labour into separate compartments is what makes eukaryotic cells so capable. It lets them grow much larger than prokaryotic cells and carry out many processes at once in different parts of the cell, rather than having everything mixed together in one space.
Single-celled or multicellular
Eukaryotic cells can exist on their own as single-celled organisms, such as amoebae and yeast, or join together by the billions to build a multicellular body. In a multicellular organism, eukaryotic cells specialise: a nerve cell, a root-hair cell and a red blood cell are all eukaryotic but shaped differently for their jobs. This ability to specialise and cooperate is what allowed complex life — plants, animals and fungi — to evolve from simpler beginnings.
Key facts
At a glance
- Definition: a complex cell with a nucleus and membrane-bound organelles
- Nucleus: holds the DNA, organised into chromosomes
- Organelles: mitochondria, and chloroplasts in plant cells
- Examples: animals, plants, fungi and protists
- Size: larger, typically 10–100 micrometres
- Cell number: single-celled or multicellular
Common misconceptions
What people often get wrong
Often heard: Only animals and plants are made of eukaryotic cells.
Actually: Fungi and protists are eukaryotic too. Any organism whose cells have a true nucleus and membrane-bound organelles is a eukaryote, which includes animals, plants, fungi and protists — but not bacteria or archaea.
Often heard: A eukaryotic cell is always part of a multicellular organism.
Actually: Many eukaryotes are single-celled, such as amoebae and yeast. A eukaryotic cell is defined by having a nucleus and organelles, not by belonging to a larger body. It can live independently or as part of a multicellular organism.
Often heard: All eukaryotic cells look the same inside.
Actually: They share a common plan but vary widely. Plant cells have a cell wall and chloroplasts that animal cells lack, and within one organism cells specialise into many shapes. The shared feature is a nucleus and membrane-bound organelles, not an identical appearance.
Going deeper
