Difference between plant and animal cell

In summary, plant cells are generally larger in size and cannot change shape, while animal cells are smaller and can change shape. Plant cells have a large central vacuole and may contain plastids, such as chloroplasts for photosynthesis. Animal cells have multiple small vacuoles and do not contain plastids. Lysosomes are rare in plant cells but always present in animal cells, while glyoxysomes may be present in plant cells but are absent in animal cells. These are some of the key differences between plant and animal cells.
  • #1
gracy
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A plant cell is usually larger in size. An animal cell is comparatively smaller in size. 2. It cannot change its shape. An animal cell can often change its shape. 3. A mature plant cell contains a large central vacuole. An animal cell often possesses many small vacuoles. 4. Plastids are present. Plant cells exposed to sunlight contain chloroplast. Plastids are usually absent in Animal cells. 5. Lysosomesare rare in Plant cell. Lysosomes are always present in animal cells. 6. Glyoxysomes may be present in Plant cell. They are absent in Animal cell.
Is it right?
 
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  • #3
Most elementary distinctions between plant and animal cells mention that plant cellls have cell walls and animal cells do not.
 
  • #4
Cell walls are rigid - think wood. Animals are more like bags, plants are more like straws - on a microscopic scale. Or an imaginative scale anyway.
Plants have cell walls, animals cells have a cell membrane only. Animals like coral can build structures out of hard stuff like calcium carbonate to protect their squishy parts from predators. Crabs have an exoskeleton to protect the squishy parts, humans have skin and a structure to park the squishy parts inside - connective tissues and the skeleton.
 
  • #5
This sort of thing get me thinking.
For smallish organisms a plant-like structure seems to have much better chances of survival and propagating.
For larger scale organisms an exoskeleton is better. ( on Earth anyway)
 

1. What are the main structural differences between plant and animal cells?

Plant cells have a cell wall, large central vacuole, and chloroplasts, while animal cells do not. Additionally, plant cells have a more rigid rectangular shape, while animal cells are typically round or irregularly shaped.

2. What is the function of the cell wall in plant cells?

The cell wall provides structural support and protection for the plant cell. It also helps regulate the movement of substances in and out of the cell.

3. Do plant and animal cells have the same organelles?

No, plant and animal cells have some of the same organelles, such as the nucleus, mitochondria, and endoplasmic reticulum, but they also have unique organelles. For example, plant cells have chloroplasts for photosynthesis, while animal cells do not.

4. How do plant and animal cells obtain energy?

Plant cells obtain energy through photosynthesis, where they use sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide to produce glucose. Animal cells obtain energy through cellular respiration, where they break down glucose to release ATP.

5. Can plant and animal cells reproduce in the same way?

No, plant and animal cells have different methods of reproduction. Plant cells can reproduce through both sexual and asexual reproduction, while animal cells typically only reproduce through sexual reproduction.

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