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By: Brooke Sheppard
What is a Cell?
Cells are the basic structure of life
for all organisms. Cells are microscopic,
which means we can only view cells
under a microscope. There are animal
cells and plant cells that have similarities
as well as differences. Try to spot the
similarities and differences between
animal and plant cells in the following
pages.
Animal Cell
Plant Cell
Cell Membrane
The cell membrane helps
keep all of the parts of a cell
intact or inside of the cell.
The cell membrane is mainly
composed of proteins and
phospholipids. The cell
membrane is found in both
animal and plant cells.
Nucleus
The Nucleus is commonly known
as the “command center” of the
cell. An animal cell is made up of
a nuclear envelop that protects
the cell, a nucleolus,
chromosomes, chromatin, and
nuclear pores. The nucleus is
found in both plant and animal
cells.
Nucleolus
The Nucleolus of a cell is
made of protein and RNA.
The Nucleolus can be found
inside of the nucleus. The
nucleolus is found in both
plant and animal cells.
Vacuole
The vacuole stores needed
food and nutrients for the
cell to use in order to
survive. It also stores waste
products for the cell. The
vacuoles are often known
as “storage bubbles.” A
plant cell has one large
vacuole, while animal cells
have one or more smaller
vacuoles.
Lysosome
Lysosomes digests things
for the cell, such as food,
organelles, and even cells.
They hold enzymes and
proteins that the cell
creates. Lysosomes can be
found in the cytoplasm of
animal cells and are not
very evident in plant cells.
Cytoplasm
Within a cell, there is fluid
that surrounds each part
of the cell and is known as
the cytoplasm. Cytoplasm
is present in both plant
and animal cells.
Mitochondrion
The mitochondria is often
known as the “powerhouse”
of a cell. The mitochondrion is
responsible for creating
energy for the cell to use.
Mitochondria are found in
both plant and animal cells.
Golgi Complex
The Golgi Complex is also
known as the Golgi Apparatus.
The Golgi Complex rounds up
simple molecules and then
combines those molecules
together. This is a packaging
organelle and is found in both
animal and plant cells.
Endoplasmic Reticulum
The Endoplasmic Reticulum is
responsible for manufacturing
and packaging materials in a cell.
There are two types of
Endoplasmic Reticulum known
as Smooth Endoplasmic
Reticulum and Rough
Endoplasmic Reticulum. This
part is found in both plant and
animal cells.
Cell Wall
Cell Walls are found in plant
cells and are composed of
cellulose. The Cell Wall
protects the actual plant cell
itself.
Chloroplasts
The chloroplasts of a cell are in
charge of producing food that is
needed by the cell. Chloroplasts
are found in plant cells and not
in animal cells.
Ribosomes
Ribosomes build proteins
and can be found either
floating free or attached
to the Endoplasmic
Reticulum. When building
proteins, Ribosomes
connect amino acids
together and link them as
a chain. Ribosomes are
found in both plant and
animal cells.
References
• D. (2016). Plant Cell vs Animal Cell. Retrieved August 02, 2016, from
http://www.diffen.com/difference/Animal_Cell_vs_Plant_Cell
• Andrew Rader Studios. (2015). Cells are the Starting Point. Retrieved
August 02, 2016, from http://www.biology4kids.com/files/cell
_main.html