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Plant and Animal Cells 1.3 – pg. 20-21
NAME:
1. Construct a table summarizing the similarities and differences of animal and plant cell
structures.
Structure
nucleus
Plant Cell
yes
Animal Cell
yes


Function
Cell’s control centre
directs all cell activities
chromosomes
yes
yes

contains genetic material
cell membrane
yes
yes

controls movement of materials into
and out of cell
cytoplasm
yes
yes


allows materials to be transported
between cell structures
stores wastes before disposal
vacuole
yes (larger)
yes (smaller)

stores water and nutrients
cell wall
yes
no

protects and supports plant cell
chloroplasts
yes
no

production of food using light from
the sun
2. Where in a cell is genetic information found?
A cell’s genetic information is contained in the chromosomes which are found in its nucleus.
3. A biologist finds a cell with what appears to be two nuclei (plural of nucleus). What
conclusion might you make about why this cell appears to have two nuclei?
There can be a variety of reasons why a cell may appear to have two nuclei. For example, the cell may
be in the process of replicating itself and dividing and is at the stage in that process where it has two
nuclei but still appears to be one cell. Another possibility is that the cell is a special kind of cell that
has and requires two nuclei to function. A third possibility may be that the cell is a mutation or
abnormality. These are just a few of many possible explanations that might be possible to explain two
nuclei in a cell.
4. Predict what might happen to a cell if the cell membrane were replaced by a plastic coat
that prevented molecules from entering or leaving the cell.
I predict that a cell that has had its membrane replaced by a plastic coat which prevents molecules
from entering or leaving the cell would quickly die because the cell would no longer be able to take in
the nutrients and oxygen it requires to live as well as expel the wastes that build up within it.