Plant vs Animal Cells | Open Textbooks

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Two Types of Cells

Both plants and animals are made of cells, but their cells have some important differences! While they share many of the same organelles (like the nucleus and mitochondria), plant cells have some special structures that animal cells don't have - and vice versa.

Understanding these differences helps us understand why plants and animals behave differently. For example, why can plants make their own food but animals can't? The answer is in their cells!

Side-by-Side Comparison

Plant Cell

🌿

🧱 Cell Wall - rigid outer layer for support
🟢 Chloroplasts - make food through photosynthesis
💧 Large Central Vacuole - stores water, keeps cell firm
🔲 Square/Rectangular Shape

Animal Cell

🐾

🎯 Centrioles - help with cell division
🗑️ Lysosomes - break down waste and old parts
💧 Small Vacuoles - may have several small ones
⚪ Round/Irregular Shape

Structures Found Only in Plant Cells

🧱 Cell Wall

A rigid layer outside the cell membrane made of cellulose. It gives plants their structure and helps them stand upright. This is why plants don't need bones!

🟢 Chloroplasts

These contain chlorophyll (the green pigment) and perform photosynthesis - the process of turning sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide into food (glucose) and oxygen.

💧 Large Central Vacuole

One big vacuole that can take up 90% of the cell! It stores water and nutrients, and keeps the plant firm. When plants wilt, it's because this vacuole has lost water.

Structures Found Only in Animal Cells

🎯 Centrioles

Small structures near the nucleus that help organize cell division. They help pull chromosomes apart when the cell divides into two new cells.

🗑️ Lysosomes

The cell's "recycling center." They contain enzymes that break down old or damaged parts of the cell, as well as food particles and harmful bacteria.

Key Differences Table

Feature	Plant Cell	Animal Cell
Cell Wall	✓ Present	✗ Absent
Chloroplasts	✓ Present	✗ Absent
Large Central Vacuole	✓ Present	✗ Absent (small ones)
Centrioles	✗ Absent	✓ Present
Lysosomes	✗ Rare	✓ Present
Shape	Square/Rectangular	Round/Irregular
Makes own food?	✓ Yes (photosynthesis)	✗ No (must eat food)

Remember: Both plant and animal cells have: nucleus, cell membrane, cytoplasm, mitochondria, ribosomes, endoplasmic reticulum, and Golgi body. The differences are what make plants and animals unique!

Examples

Cell Structure Sorting Game

Sorted: 0/9

Click on each structure and then click the correct bin to sort it!

Cell Wall Chloroplasts Centrioles Lysosomes Nucleus Mitochondria Large Central Vacuole Cell Membrane Ribosomes

Plant Cells Only

Both Cells

Animal Cells Only

Practice

Test your knowledge of plant and animal cells.

Question 1: Which structure allows plant cells to make their own food?

A) Cell wall

B) Chloroplasts

C) Vacuole

D) Centrioles

Question 2: Why are plant cells usually rectangular while animal cells are round?

A) Plant cells have a rigid cell wall that gives them a fixed shape

B) Animal cells have chloroplasts that make them round

C) Plant cells have more mitochondria

D) Animal cells have a thicker cell membrane

Question 3: Which organelle is the cell's "recycling center" that breaks down old parts?

A) Golgi body

B) Vacuole

C) Lysosomes

D) Ribosomes

Question 4: A scientist looks at a cell under a microscope and sees chloroplasts and a cell wall. What type of cell is it?

A) Plant cell

B) Animal cell

C) Could be either type

D) Neither - it must be bacteria

Check Your Understanding

Key Questions to Consider

Why can't animals perform photosynthesis like plants?
What would happen to a plant if its cell wall disappeared?
Why do plants wilt when they don't get enough water?
If you saw a cell with centrioles, would it be from a plant or animal?

Think About It: The differences between plant and animal cells explain many differences between plants and animals. Plants are rigid because of cell walls, green because of chloroplasts, and can make their own food through photosynthesis. Animals are flexible, must find and eat food, and have special structures for cell division and waste removal.

Summary

🌿

Plant Only

Cell wall, chloroplasts, large central vacuole

🐾

Animal Only

Centrioles, lysosomes

🔬

Both Have

Nucleus, membrane, mitochondria, ribosomes

🟢

Photosynthesis

Only plants can make their own food

Next Steps

Create a Venn diagram comparing plant and animal cells
Draw and label both types of cells from memory
Move on to learn about matter and its properties