Animal CellsAnimal cells are eukaryotic (due to the criteria mentioned on the previous page). All animals are organisms that are made of cells. Three examples of animals made with animal cells would be mammals, fish, and birds.
Plant CellsPlant cells are also eukaryotic (they again fit the criteria mentioned on the previous page). These cells form all types of plants and roots, but also vegetables and fruits and grains.
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Structures + organelles present in plant but not animal cellsA typical plant cell has a rigid cell wall, a large central vacuole and structures called plastids, some of which contain special pigments, such as chlorophyll that gives the organism its colour, while others serve as storage areas for starch, they also have chloroplasts in order to undergo photosynthesis to obtain food/energy. Animal cells lack these distinctive features due to the fact that they simply do not need them. For example animals have skeletons so they don’t need the extra support of a cell wall that plants do.
Functions of organelles unique to plant cellsCell Wall: Is the outer layer of only plant cells, and is stiff and rigid to give support. It protects the plant cell and allows oxygen and water to pass through.
Cell Membrane: For plants, the cell membrane is on the inside of the cell wall, but for animal cells, it is the outer layer. It controls what enters and exits the cell. Nucleolus: Is found in both animal and plant cells, is a spherical shape and is surrounded by the rest of the organelles. It the controls the cell's activities. Cytoplasm: Is found in both types of cells, and is a clear, jelly-like substance. All the cells organelles are found here. Mitochondria: is found in both types of cells, and is bean-shaped with an inner membrane. Often called the powerhouse of the cell, it breaks down sugar molecules to create energy. Endoplasmic Reticulum: Is found on both plant and animal cells. It is a network of folded tubes or membranes, and carries proteins and other materials from one part of the cell to another. Ribosomes: Are found in both types of cells and are small bodies floating free or attached to the endoplasmic reticulum. They produce proteins. Golgi Bodies/Apparatus: Are found in both types of cells and are flattened sacks or tubes. They receive proteins and other materials from the endoplasmic reticulum and packages them and then redistributes them. Chloroplasts: Are only found in plant cells, and a green, oval-shaped structures usually containing chlorophyll. They capture energy from sunlight and uses the process called photosynthesis to create food. Vacuoles: Are found in both types of cells and are fluid-filled sacks, which are storage areas for cells. However they are much larger and more common in plant cells. Lysosomes: Usually found in only animal cells, and are small, round structures that use chemicals to break down large food particles into smaller ones, and breaks down old or dead cells. Basically the recycling bin for an animal cell. |