Plant Cell VS. Animal Cell
Differences and Similarities between Plant and Animal Cells.
Animal Cells.
- Shape - Animal Cells do not have one singular same looking shape. The shape can vary widely. But usually overall it is a round (irregular) shape. They have no cell wall.
Plant Cells.
- Shape - Plant Cells have a similar shape unlike animal cells who are different. Plant cells look somewhat similar because of their rigid cell wall. Overall they have a rectangular box like shape. A plant cell has a rigid outer layer or cell wall, where as in animal cells there is no cell wall.
Organelles (Differences)
Animal Cells
- No cell wall.
- Small vacuoles (1 or more) that are smaller than the vacuoles of a plant cell.
- Centrioles are in all animal cells.
- No chloroplast because animals don't make their own food.
- No plastids.
- Lysosomes occur in cytoplasm.
- All animal cells have a cilia.
Plant Cells
- Have a rigid layer on the outside called the cell wall. Made of cellulose.
- Has one large central vacuole that make up about 90% of the cells volume.
- Centrioles were present in all lower plant forms.
- Have chloroplasts because a plant makes its own food.
- Contain plastids.
- There is usually no lysosome evident.
- It's rare to see a cilia in a plant cell.
Organelles (Similarities)
- Both cells contain cytoplasm.
- Both contain endoplasmic reticulum.
- Both contain ribosomes.
- Both contain mitochondria.
- Both contain Golgi apparatus.
- Both have cell membrane.
- Micro-tubules/ Micro filaments are present in both cells.
- Both have a nucleus.
- In some plant cells there is a flagella, and in some animal cells there is a flagella.
Functions of Organelles (Similarities)
- Cell membranes are in all cells and they protect and support the cell wall. It controls the movement of things going in and out of the cell. Maintain homeostasis.
- Cytoplasm - Protects the organelles of the cell.
- Ribosomes - Synthesizes/ Processes protein/ food for the cell.
- Mitochondria - Breaks down glucose (sugar) molecules to give the cell and organism energy.
- Endoplasmic Reticulum - Carries materials through the cell. Helps making proteins.
- Golgi Apparatus - Modifies proteins made by the cell. Packages and exports proteins.
- Nucleus - Controls the cell activities and contains the heredity material of the cell.
- Flagella - Used for better movement.
Functions of Organelles (Differences)
Animal Cells
- Centrioles - Separates pairs of chromosomes during mitosis.
- Lysosome - Breaks down larger food molecules into smaller food molecules and digest old cell parts.
- Cilia - Helps the animal cell move.
- Vacuoles - Stores food, water, metabolic, & toxic wastes. Stores large amounts of food. So it's something used to store.
Plant Cells
- Cell wall - Used to protect the cell and plant a bit more than an animal cell which only has a cell membrane.
- Vacuole - Has one large cell vacuole that stores food, water, metabolic & toxic wastes. It also stores sugar for plants.
- Chloroplasts - Uses energy from the sun (photosynthesis) to make food for the plant. Also releases oxygen.
- Cilia - It's rare to see cilia in a plant cell but it's possible and it help the cell move.
- Lysosome - If there is lysosome it will help the plant break down glucose (sugar/food).