Microvilli are microscopic finger-like projections that extend from the surface of certain eukaryotic cells, particularly those involved in absorption, such as cells lining the small intestine. They increase the surface area of the cell membrane, enhancing the efficiency of nutrient absorption and other cellular processes.

Bacterial cells, on the other hand, are prokaryotic cells, which lack the complex internal structures found in eukaryotic cells, including the cytoskeleton that supports microvilli. Instead, bacteria may have other surface structures like pili, flagella, or capsules that serve different functions related to adhesion, motility, and protection.