Difference Between Plant Cell and Animal Cell

Difference Between Plant Cell and Animal Cell: The cell is the basic unit of life in all living things. Just like humans are made of many tiny cells, plants and animals are also made of cells. These cells help plants and animals grow, stay healthy, and do their daily activities.

While plant cell and animal cell both have a cell membrane, nucleus, cytoplasm, Golgi body, and mitochondria that help the cell to live and work properly, they still have many important differences that make each one special. So to learn about the difference between plant cell and animal cell, keep reading.

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What is a Plant Cell?

A plant cell is the smallest building block of a plant. It helps the plant grow strong and make its own food. Plant cells have a special part called the cell wall that gives them shape and makes them strong. Inside the plant cell, there are chloroplasts.

Chloroplasts help the plant make food using sunlight, water, and air. This process is called Photosynthesis. The plant cell also has a large vacuole, which stores water and keeps the cell firm. So, a plant cell is very important as it helps plants live, grow, and make their own food.

What is An Animal Cell?

An animal cell is the smallest working part of an animal’s body. Many animal cells join together to form tissues, and tissues make the organs in our body, like the heart, lungs, and brain. All these organs work together to keep the animal alive and healthy.

Animal cells lack cell walls. Each animal cell has important parts like the nucleus (the control center of the cell), cytoplasm (a jelly-like part where cell work happens), and a cell membrane (the outer cover that protects the cell). Animal cells help animals move, grow, and do all body activities.

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What is the Difference Between Plant Cell and Animal Cell?

The difference between plant cell and animal cell is very important to understand because even though both are tiny building blocks of life, they do not look the same, and they do not work in the same way.

Both plant cell and animal cell are eukaryotic cells, which means they have a proper nucleus and other cell parts. But because plants and animals live and grow in different ways, their cells also have some unique features, as explained here:

Shape and Size

One main plant cell and animal cell difference is their shape and size. Plant cells usually have a fixed, box-like shape because they have a strong cell wall that gives them support. Animal cells do not have a cell wall, so their shape is soft and round or irregular. Also, plant cells are often bigger than animal cells.

Cell Wall

Plant cells have a cell wall made of a material called cellulose. This wall keeps the plant strong and helps it stand tall. Animal cells do not have a cell wall. They only have a thin outer covering called the cell membrane.

Chloroplasts

Another big plant cell and animal cell difference is the chloroplasts. Plant cells have chloroplasts because they need to make their own food using sunlight. This process is called photosynthesis. Animal cells do not have chloroplasts because animals get their food by eating other things.

Vacuole

The vacuole is like a storage bag inside the cell. Plant cells have one big vacuole that holds water and food, which helps the plant stay firm. Animal cells have small vacuoles, and sometimes they may not be seen clearly because they are so tiny.

Nucleus Position

In plant cells, the nucleus is usually pushed to the side because the big vacuole takes up most of the space. In animal cells, the nucleus is usually in the center.

Energy Storage

Both plant cell and animal cell need energy to work. But plants store energy as starch, and animals store energy as glycogen. This is another difference between plant cell and animal cells.

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Animal Cell and Plant Cell Diagram and Structure

The animal cell and plant cell diagram and structure help us understand how they work. Both plant cell and animal cell have many parts inside them that do important jobs. By studying their structure and diagram, students can easily learn how plant cell and animal cell are built.

Plant Cell Structure

• Cell Wall: The plant cell has a strong outer wall called the cell wall. It protects the cell and gives it a fixed shape.

• Cell Membrane: Inside the cell wall, there is a thin layer called the cell membrane. It controls what can enter and leave the cell.

• Nucleus: The nucleus is like the control room of the cell. It stores the cell’s information and helps in cell growth.

• Chloroplasts: Chloroplasts help the plant make its food using sunlight. This process is called photosynthesis.

• Vacuole: The plant cell has one big vacuole. It stores water, food, and other things the plant needs.

• Cytoplasm: It is the jelly-like part inside the cell where other parts float.

• Mitochondria: Mitochondria give energy to the cell to do its work.

• Golgi Apparatus: This part packs and sends things to different parts of the cell.

• Ribosomes: These make proteins for the cell.

Animal Cell Structure

• Cell Membrane: The animal cell has only the cell membrane. It protects the cell and controls what goes in and out.

• Nucleus: The nucleus is in the center. It holds the cell’s instructions and controls all the work.

• Cytoplasm: The jelly-like material that fills the cell and holds all the cell parts.

• Mitochondria: Mitochondria give energy to the cell. They are known as the powerhouse of the cell.

• Golgi Apparatus: It packs and moves materials to different parts of the cell.

• Ribosomes: Ribosomes make proteins that help the cell grow and repair.

• Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER): It helps in making and moving proteins and fats.

• Centrosome: This part helps the cell to divide and form new cells.

• Vacuoles: Animal cells have many small vacuoles. They store food, water, and waste.

• Lysosomes: They clean the cell by removing waste and old cell parts.

Animal cell and plant cell diagrams are vital for understanding the structure and differences between the two cells. By studying the diagram, students can easily remember the parts of each cell and their functions. This also makes it easier to answer diagram-based questions in exams.

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Types of Plant Cell and Animal Cells

Understanding the different types of plant cell and animal cell helps students learn how plants and animals grow, stay healthy, and do their daily activities.

Types of Plant Cell

• Parenchyma Cells: These are living cells in plants. They help in making food, storing food, and exchanging gases. They are soft and flexible.

• Collenchyma Cells: These cells give support to the plant, especially when the plant is growing. They are a bit stronger but still flexible.

• Sclerenchyma Cells: These cells are very strong and hard. They give a lot of support to the plant.

• Xylem Cells: These cells carry water and minerals from the roots to other parts of the plant.

• Phloem Cells: These cells carry food made by the leaves to other parts of the plant.

Types of Animal Cell

• Skin Cells: These cells protect the body. Some examples are melanocytes and keratinocytes.

• Muscle Cells: These cells help the body move. Examples are cardiac muscle cells and tendon cells.

• Blood Cells: These cells move in our blood and help carry oxygen and fight diseases. Examples are red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets.

• Nerve Cells: These cells send messages in the body. Examples are Schwann cells and glial cells.

• Fat Cells: These cells store fat in the body. They help give energy and keep the body warm.

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