Download Plant and Animal Cell Info

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Eukaryotic Cells: Plant and Animals
What is a Cell?
A cell can be defined as the "structural and functional unit
of life".
Both plants and animals are made up of cells…in fact all living things are made up of cells. But,
they are not made up of identical cells. Cells are designed to complete a specific function for
the organism, so they are many different kinds of cells.
Let us understand the cell through the following analogy…
Think of your school building. Each building is made up of a number of classrooms. Each
classroom has four walls. Each wall is made up of bricks. Structurally, each brick is the
smallest unit of your school building, and so the school is created brick by brick. Structurally,
all organisms are built cell by cell.
To understand the functional significance of a cell, let’s consider how a school functions. Each
school has a number of classes. Each of these classes is made up of students. Together the
students in each class perform tasks and complete assignments. The smallest functional unit
of a school is a student, and the smallest functional unit of an organism is a cell. Cells work
together to perform specific tasks and complete functions that contribute to the overall
functionality of the organism.
Plant Cell and Animal Cells
There are structural and functional differences between plants and animals, and the same is
true for their cells. Plant and animal cells have similarities, but they also have some
differences because they must complete specific functions based on whether they are part of a
plant or an animal.
Both plant and animals have eukaryotic cells, which are cells that have a nucleus. A cell
nucleus contains chromosomes, which store all the heredity characteristics of an organism,
(known as DNA and RNA). Both types of cells have a cell membrane surrounding the cell
that regulates the movement of substances in and out of the cell. The cell membrane keeps
the organelles contained within the cell and protects the cell from its surroundings.
Organelles are what scientists call the parts inside a cell that help it complete its specific
function. The various organelles float in a jelly-like fluid called cytoplasm. The cytoplasm
provides protection for the organelles and helps to keep the cell healthy.
Plant Cell vs. Animal Cell
The plant and animal cell comparison below will give us a better understanding of the
differences between plant and animal cells.
Characteristics
Plant Cell
Animal Cell
Cell Size
Large
Smaller than plant cells
Cell Shape
Rectangular
Circular
Nucleus
The nucleus contains chromosomes, which store
all the heredity characteristics of an organism,
(known as DNA and RNA)
The nucleus contains chromosomes, which
store all the heredity characteristics of an
organism, (known as DNA and RNA)
Cell Wall
A rigid cell wall (made of cellulose) is present
around a plant cell that helps it maintain its
shape.
Cell Membrane
(Plasma Membrane)
The cell membrane is located inside the cell wall
and regulates the movement of substances in and
out of the cell. The cell membrane keeps the
organelles contained within the cell and protects
the cell from its surroundings.
The cell membrane surrounds the cell and
regulates the movement of substances in and
out of the cell. The cell membrane keeps the
organelles contained within the cell and
protects the cell from its surroundings.
Cytoplasm is a jelly-like fluid that surrounds and
protects the cells organelles. Cytoplasm has a
chemical which helps to keep the cell healthy.
Cytoplasm is a jelly-like fluid that surrounds
and protects the cells organelles. Cytoplasm
has a chemical which helps to keep the cell
healthy.
Vacuoles
A single centrally located vacuole. It takes up
almost 90% of the cell volume. The vacuole
stores water for the cell.
A number of small vacuoles are spread
throughout the cytoplasm that store water,
nutrients, and waste materials.
Chloroplasts
Chloroplasts contain chlorophyll which traps the
sun's energy. This energy is used by the plants
during photosynthesis to make food. Chlorophyll
is gives plants their “green” color.
Mitochondrion
Mitochondria provide the energy needed for the
cell to function.
Cytoplasm
Mitochondria provide the energy needed for
the cell to function.