Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic Cells

Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic Cells Worksheet (Grade 6 Science, TEKS 6.13B)

Does the cell have a nucleus? This one-page sheet uses that one question to teach the difference between prokaryotic cells, like bacteria, and eukaryotic cells, like plant, animal, and fungus cells. Two side-by-side cards list the key features, and the reading reminds students what every cell has in common.

What's Inside

• A Big Question box: "How are prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells different?"
• What all cells share: cell membrane, cytoplasm, and DNA
• Two comparison cards with doodles
• Activity 1: Students sort eight facts into a Prokaryotic, Eukaryotic, or Both table
• Activity 2: Three circle-the-word sentences
• A visual answer key with answers marked in red

How Teachers Use It

Use it as practice or a quick check for TEKS 6.13B. The sheet takes about 10 minutes, needs no prior knowledge, and prints clearly in black and white.

This worksheet is part of the Reading in Science series for grade 6. It supports TEKS 6.13B: identify and compare the basic characteristics of organisms, including prokaryotic and eukaryotic, unicellular and multicellular, and autotrophic and heterotrophic. It is one of eleven connected TEKS 6.13 sheets: cell theory (6.13A), the basic characteristics of organisms (6.13B), and variation and survival (6.13C), plus a vocabulary review.

Why It Works

Each sheet opens with a Big Question, teaches the key terms in plain words with simple black-and-white doodles, and then asks students to use only what the page taught. Activities stay at the circle, sort, match, and fill-in level, so students can finish in about 10 minutes, and the visual answer key lets teachers check work fast.