Difference Between Plant Cells and Animal Cells 

Difference Between Plant Cells and Animal Cells : All living organisms on the earth are composed of cells. Cells may be defined as the smallest structural and functional unit which forms the tissues and organs of animals and plants. The aggregation of cells forms complex tissues and organs. Plant cells may be of different types namely parenchyma, collenchyma, sclerenchyma, xylem, and phloem. Types of animal cells include skin cells, muscle cells, fat cells, nerve cells, bone cells, and blood cells.

Introduction

• Cells are the structural and functional unit of all living beings.
• All organisms are composed of cells.
• All cells arise from pre-existing cells.

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Components of Living Cell

1. Cell Wall

2. Cell Membrane

3. Nucleus

4. Golgi apparatus

5. Mitochondria

6. Lysosomes

7. Ribosomes

8. Endoplasmic Reticulum

9. Centrosomes

10. Plastids

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Characteristics of Plant Cell

• All plant cells are capable of manufacturing their food by the process of photosynthesis due to the presence of a green pigment called chlorophyll. Hence, these cells are autotrophic. Pigments like chlorophyll, xanthophyll, and carotenoids are contained in special organelles called Plastids. Plastids are not found in animal cells.
• Centrosomes are absent in plant cells. Centrosomes are helpful in cell division, as they produce spindle fibres. However, spindle fibres are already found outside the nuclear envelope in plant cells so the centrosomes are not required.
• Cell wall is a rigid framework that is present outside the plasma membrane which is composed of cellulose and pectin fibres. It gives a square or rectangle shape to the cell. It is freely permeable to all substances.

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Characteristics of Animal Cell

• Animal cells have heterotrophic modes of nutrition. They do not contain plastids which are pigment-bearing cell organelles. Plastids have chlorophyll which helps in the manufacture of glucose by photosynthesis in plant cells.
• Animal cells have centrosomes, which are cell organelles that help in spindle fibre formation during cell division.
• Only a single outer boundary called the plasma membrane is present in animal cells. The cell wall is absent.

Difference Between Plant Cells and Animal Cells