Plant cell and animal cell comparison

Plant and animal cells have several differences and similarities.

Animal Cell Plant Cell

Cell wall Absent Present (formed

of cellulose)

Shape Round (irregular shape) Rectangular

(fixed shape)

Vacuole One or more small vacuoles (much smaller One, large

than plant cells). central vacuole
taking up to 90%
of cell volume.

Centrioles Present in all animal cells Only present in

lower plant
forms (e.g.
chlamydomonas)

Chloroplast Absent Plant cells have

chloroplasts to
make their own
food.

Cytoplasm Present Present

Ribosomes Present Present

Mitochondria Present Present

Plastids Absent Present

Endoplasmic Reticulum Present Present

(Smooth and Rough)

Peroxisomes Present Present

Golgi Apparatus Present Present

Plasma Membrane Only cell membrane Cell wall and a

cell membrane

Microtubules/ Microfilaments Present Present

Flagella Present in some cells ( e.g. mammalian Present in some
sperm cells) cells (e.g. sperm
of bryophytes
and
pteridophytes,
cycads and
Ginkgo)

Lysosomes Lysosomes occur in cytoplasm. Lysosomes

usually not
evident.

Nucleus Present Present

Cilia Present Most plant cells

do not
contain cilia.

What is a Plant Cell?

Plant cells are eukaryotic cells that vary in several fundamental factors from other eukaryotic
organisms. Both plant and animal cells contain nucleus along with similar organelles. One of the
distinctive aspects of a plant cell is the presence of a cell wall outside the cell membrane.

Plant Cell Types

Cells of a matured and higher plant become specialized to perform certain vital functions that are
essential for their survival. Few plant cells are involved in the transportation of nutrients and
water, while others for storing food.
The specialized plant cells include parenchyma cells, sclerenchyma cells, collenchyma cells,
xylem cells, and phloem cells.
Following are some of the different types of plant cells:

Collenchyma Cells

They are hard or rigid cells, which play a primary role in providing support to the plants when
there is restraining growth in a plant due to lack of hardening agent in primary walls.

Sclerenchyma Cells

These cells are more rigid compared to collenchyma cells and this is because of the presence of a
hardening agent. These cells are usually found in all plant roots and mainly involved in
providing support to the plants.
Parenchyma Cells

Parenchyma cells play a significant role in all plants. They are the living cells of plants, which
are involved in the production of leaves. They are also involved in the exchange of gases,
production of food, storage of organic products and cell metabolism. These cells are typically
more flexible than others because they are thinner.

Xylem Cells
Xylem cells are the transport cells in vascular plants. They help in the transport of water and
minerals from the roots to the leaves and other parts of the plants.

Phloem Cells

Phloem cells are other transport cells in vascular plants. They transport food prepared by the
leaves to different parts of the plants.

Plant Cell Functions

Plant cells are the building blocks of plants. Photosynthesis is the major function performed by
plant cells.

Photosynthesis occurs in the chloroplasts of the plant cell. It is the process of preparing food by
the plants, by utilizing sunlight, carbon dioxide and water. Energy is produced in the form of ATP
in the process.

Few plant cells help in the transport of water and nutrients from the roots and leaves to different
parts of the plants.

Plant Cell Structure

Just like different organs within the body, plant cell structure includes various components
known as cell organelles that perform different functions to sustain itself. These organelles
include:

Cell Wall

It is a rigid layer which is composed of cellulose, glycoproteins, lignin, pectin, and

hemicellulose. It is located outside the cell membrane. It comprises proteins, polysaccharides,
and cellulose.
The primary function of the cell wall is to protect and provide structural support to the cell. The
plant cell wall is also involved in protecting the cell against mechanical stress and to provide
form and structure to the cell. It also filters the molecules passing in and out of the cell.
The formation of the cell wall is guided by microtubules. It consists of three layers, namely,
primary, secondary and the middle lamella. The primary cell wall is formed by cellulose laid
down by enzymes.

Cell membrane

It is the semi-permeable membrane that is present within the cell wall. It is composed of a thin
layer of protein and fat.
The cell membrane plays an important role in regulating the entry and exit of specific substances
within the cell.
For instance, cell membrane keeps toxins from entering inside, while nutrients and essential
minerals are transported across.

Nucleus
The nucleus is a membrane-bound structure that is present only in eukaryotic cells. The vital
function of a nucleus is to store DNA or hereditary information required for cell division,
metabolism, and growth.

1. Nucleolus: It manufactures cell’s protein-producing structures and ribosomes.

2. Nucleopore: Nuclear membrane is perforated with holes called nucleopore that allows
proteins and nucleic acids to pass through.

Plastids

They are membrane-bound organelles that have their own DNA. They are necessary to store
starch, to carry out the process of photosynthesis. It is also used in the synthesis of many
molecules which form the building blocks of the cell.

Vacuole

It occupies around 30% of the cell’s volume in a mature plant cell. Tonoplast is a membrane that
surrounds central vacuole. The vital function of central vacuole apart from storage is to sustain
turgid pressure against the cell wall. The central vacuole consists of cell sap. It is a mixture of
salts, enzymes, and other substances.

Golgi Apparatus
They are found in all eukaryotic cells which are involved in distributing synthesized
macromolecules to various parts of the cell.

Ribosomes
They are the smallest membrane-bound organelles which comprise RNA and protein. They are
the sites for protein synthesis, hence, also referred to as the protein factories of the cell.

Mitochondria

They are the double-membraned organelles found in the cytoplasm of all eukaryotic cells. They
provide energy by breaking down carbohydrate and sugar molecules, hence they are also referred
to as the “Powerhouse of the cell.”

Lysosome
Lysosomes are called as suicidal bags as they hold digestive enzymes in an enclosed membrane.
They perform the function of cellular waste disposal by digesting worn-out organelles, food
particles and foreign bodies in the cell.
Animal cell
Animal cells range in size from a few millimetres to microscopic microns. The largest known
animal cell is the ostrich egg, which can stretch over 5.1 inches across and weigh about 1.4
kilograms. This is in stark contrast to the neuron in the human body, which is just 100 microns
across.
The shape of animal cells also varies, with some being flat, others oval or rod-shaped. There are
also more intriguing shapes such as curved, spherical, concave and rectangular. Most of the cells
are microscopic in size and can only be seen under the microscope.
As stated before, animal cells are eukaryotic cells with a membrane-bound nucleus. Furthermore,
these cells exhibit the presence of DNA inside the nucleus. They also comprise of other organelles
and cellular structures which carry out specific functions necessary for the cell to function
properly.
Animal Cell Types
There are numerous types of animal cells, each designed to serve specific functions. The most
common types of animal cells are:
Skin Cells
Melanocytes, keratinocytes, Merkel cells and Langerhans cells
Muscle Cells
Myocyte, Myosatellite cells, Tendon cells, Cardiac muscle cells
Blood Cells
Leukocytes, erythrocytes, platelet
Nerve Cells
Schwann cell, glial cells etc
Fat Cells
Adipocytes

Animal cell structure

Definition of Plasma membrane (Cell membrane)
It is a thin semipermeable protein-membrane layer that surrounds an animal cell.
Structure of Plasma membrane (Cell membrane)
● Thin semi-permeable membrane
● It contains a percentage of lipids making a semi-permeable barrier between the cell and its
physical environment.
● It has some protein components a
● It is very consistent around the cell
● All living cells have a plasma membrane.
Functions of Plasma membrane (Cell membrane)
● To enclose and protect the cell content
● To also regulate the molecules that pass into and out of the cell, through the plasma
membrane. Therefore it controls homeostasis.
● The proteins are actively involved in transporting materials across the membrane
● The proteins and lipids allow cell communication, and carbohydrates (sugars and sugar
chains), which decorate both the proteins and lipids and help cells recognize each other.

Definition of Nucleus
● This is a spherical structured organelle found majorly at the center of a cell surrounded by
a double-layered nuclear membrane separating it from the cytoplasm.
● It is held together to the cytoplasm with the help of the filaments and microtubules.
● It holds other cells organelles including the nucleolus, nucleosomes, and chromatins.
● A cell has one nucleus which divides producing multinucleated cells e.g. the skeletal
muscle cell fibers.
● Some cells lose their nuclei after maturations e.g. the red blood cells.
Structure of Nucleus
● The double-layered membrane is a continuous channel of membranous from the
endoplasmic reticulum network.
● The membrane has pores which allow entry of large molecule
● Nucleoli (Singular; nucleolus) are tiny/small bodies found in the nucleus
● The nucleus and its component organelles are suspended in the nucleoplasm (House of the
chromosomal DNA and genetic materials)
Functions of Nucleus
● The primary role of the nucleus is to control and regulate cell activities of growth and
maintain cell metabolisms.
● It also carries the genes that have hereditary information of the cell.
● The chromosomal DNA and genetic materials, which are made up of genetic coded
ultimately make up their proteins’ amino acid sequences for use by the cell.
● Therefore, the nucleus is the information center.
● It is the site for Transcription (formation of mRNA from DNA) and the mRNA is
transported to the nuclear envelope.
Definition of Cytoplasm
● This is a gel-like material that contains all the cell organelles, enclosed within the cell
membrane.
● These organelles include; Mitochondria, ribosomes, Endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi
apparatus, lysosomes intermediate filaments, microfilaments microtubules, vesicles.
Definition of Mitochondria
● These are membrane-bound organelles located in the cytoplasm of all eukaryotic cells
● The number of mitochondria found in each cell varies widely depending on the function of
the cell it performs.
● For example, erythrocytes do not have mitochondria while the liver and muscle cells have
thousands of mitochondria.
Structure of Mitochondria
● They are rod-shaped or oval or spherically shaped, with a size of 0.5 to 10 μm.
● Mitochondria have two special membranes – outer and inner membrane.
● They have a mitochondrial gel-matric in the central mass.
● The membranes bend into folds known as cristae.
Functions of Mitochondria
● Their primary function is to generate energy for the cell i.e they are the power generators,
producing energy in form of Adenosine Tri-phosphate (ATP), by converting nutrients and
oxygen into energy enabling the cell to perform its function and to also release excess
energy from the cell.
Definition of Ribosomes
● They are small organelles majorly made up of 60% RNA cytoplasmic- granules and 40%
proteins.
● All living cells contain ribosomes, which may be freely circulating in the cytoplasm and
some are bound to the endoplasmic reticulum.
● It is the site for protein synthesis.
Structure of Ribosomes
 ● Ribosomes are made up of ribosomal proteins and ribosomal RNA (rRNA). In a eukaryotic
cell, ribosomes constitute half ribosomal RNA and half ribosomal proteins.
● Each ribosome is made up of two subunits i. e large subunit and small subunit with their
own distinct shapes. These subunits are designated as the 40s and 60s in the animal cell.
Functions of Ribosomes
● Ribosomes that occur as free particles are attached to the endoplasmic reticulum membrane
occurring in large numbers accounting for about a quarter of the cell organelles. A single
replicated cell has about 10 million ribosomes.
● The ribosomal subunits are the site for genetic coding into proteins. On the ribosomes, the
mRNA helps determine the coding for Transfer RNA (tRNA) which also determines the
protein amino acid sequences. This leads to the formation of the rRNA which are involved
in the catalyzation of peptidyl transferase creating the peptide bond found between the
amino acid sequences that develop the proteins. The formed proteins then detach from the
ribosomes, migrating to other cell parts for utilization by the cell.
Structure of Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER)
● This is a continuous folded membranous organelle found in the cytoplasm made up of a
thin network of flattened interconnected compartments (sacs) that connects from the
cytoplasm to the cell nucleus.
● Within its membranes, there are membranous spaces called the cristae spaces and the
membrane folding are called cristae.
● There are two types of ER based on their structure and the function they perform
including Rough Endoplasmic reticulum and the Smooth endoplasmic reticulum.
Functions of Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER)
● Manufacturing, processing and transporting proteins for cell utilization both in and out of
the cell. This is because it is directly connected to the nuclear membrane providing a
passage between the nucleus and the cytoplasm.
● The ER has more than half the membranous cell content, hence it has a large surface area
where chemical reactions take place. They also contain the enzymes for almost all the cell
lipid synthesis hence they are the site for lipid synthesis.
The variation in physical and functional characteristics differentiate the ER into two types i.e
Rough endoplasmic reticulum and Smooth endoplasmic reticulum.
Types of Endoplasmic Reticulum
1. Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum (Rough ER) – Rough ER is called “rough” because there
surface is covered with ribosomes, giving it a rough appearance. The function of the
ribosomes on rough ER is to synthesis proteins and they have a signaling sequence,
directing them to the endoplasmic reticulum for processing. Rough ER transports the
proteins and lipids through the cell into the cristae. They are then sent into the Golgi bodies
or inserted into the cell membrane.
2. Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum (Smooth ER) – Smooth ER is not associated with
ribosomes and their unction is different from that of the rough endoplasmic reticulum,
despite lying adjacent to the rough endoplasmic reticulum. Its function is to synthesis lipids
(cholesterol and phospholipids) that are utilized for producing new cellular membranes.
They are also involved in the synthesis of steroid hormones from cholesterol for certain
cell types. It also contributes to the detoxification of the liver after the intake of drugs and
toxic chemicals.
 ● There is also a specialized type of smooth ER known as the sarcoplasmic reticulum. Its
function is to regulate the concentration of Calcium ions in the muscle cell cytoplasm.
Structure of Golgi apparatus (Golgi bodies)
● These are membrane-bound cell organelles found in the cytoplasm of a eukaryotic cell,
next to the endoplasmic reticulum and near the nucleus.
● Golgi bodies are supported together by cytoplasmic microtubules and held by a protein
matrix
● It is made up of flattened stacked pouches known as cisternae.
● These cisternae maybe 4- 10 in number for animal cell Golgi bodies though some
organisms like single-celled organisms have about 60 cisternae.
● They have three primary compartments known as cis (Cisternae Nearest the Endoplasmic
Reticulum), medial (central layers of cisternae) and the trans (cisternae farthest from the
endoplasmic reticulum).
● Animal cells have very few (1-2) Golgi bodies while plants have a few hundred.
Functions of Golgi apparatus (Golgi bodies)
● Their primary function is to transport, modify and pack proteins and lipids into the Golgi
vesicles to deliver them to their target sites. Animal cells contain one or more Golgi bodies
while plants have a few hundred.
● Cis and trans Golgi network make up the outer layer of cisternae at the cis and trans face
and they are responsible for sorting proteins and lipids received at the cis face and released
by the trans face, by the Golgi bodies.
● The cis face collects the proteins and lipids, of fused vesicles in clusters. The fused vesicles
move along the microtubules through a specialized compartment known as the vesicular-
tubular cluster. This compartment is found between the endoplasmic reticulum and the
Golgi apparatus.
Lysosomes – Definition, Structure, and Functions with Diagram
It is also known as cell vesicles; Lysosomes were discovered by Christian Rene de Duve, a Belgian
cytologist in the 1950s.
Structure of Lysosomes
● They are round subcellular organelle found in almost all eukaryotic cells
● Lysosomes are very acidic organelles containing the digestive enzymes and therefore each
of the lysosomes is surrounded by a membrane to protect it from the outer environment.
Functions of Lysosomes
● This is the site for digestion of cell nutrients, excretion, and cell renewal.
● Lysosomes break down macromolecules components from the outside of the cell into
simpler elements that are transported into the cytoplasm via a proton pump to build new
cell materials.