| Criteria | Prokaryotic Plasma Membrane | Eukaryotic Plasma Membrane | Remarks |
| Basic Composition | Phospholipid bilayer with embedded proteins; lacks sterols (except in Mycoplasma) | Phospholipid bilayer with embedded proteins and sterols (mainly cholesterol) | Both membranes follow the fluid mosaic model; sterols enhance membrane fluidity and stability in eukaryotes |
| Presence of Organelles | Lacks membrane-bound organelles; the plasma membrane may invaginate to form mesosomes | Surrounds membrane-bound organelles; supports endocytosis and exocytosis | Eukaryotic membranes are structurally and functionally more complex |
| Cell Wall Association | Lies beneath a rigid peptidoglycan-based cell wall (in most species) | Lies beneath a flexible glycocalyx; may be associated with a cell wall in fungi and plants (cellulose or chitin) | Prokaryotic membranes are constrained by the presence of a rigid cell wall in most bacteria |
| Sterols and Lipids | Generally lacks sterols (except in Mycoplasma); has hopanoids in some species | Contains sterols like cholesterol, sphingolipids, and glycosphingolipids | Sterols play roles in regulating membrane fluidity and signaling in eukaryotes |
| Transport Mechanisms | Simple and facilitated diffusion, active transport; lacks endocytosis | Active transport, facilitated diffusion, receptor-mediated endocytosis, and exocytosis | Endocytosis and exocytosis are exclusive to eukaryotic plasma membranes |
| Respiratory Function | Major site of electron transport chain and ATP synthesis (in absence of mitochondria) | ATP generation occurs mainly in mitochondria; plasma membrane does not have a respiratory function | Prokaryotic plasma membrane performs functions typically handled by mitochondria in eukaryotes |
| Signaling and Receptors | Few receptor proteins; limited signaling roles | Contains diverse receptors for signal transduction, hormone response, and cell communication | Eukaryotic plasma membrane is more involved in complex signaling pathways |
