Plant and Animal Cell Comparison

Study Notes

Both plant and animal cells possess a cell membrane, which acts as a barrier controlling entry and exit of substances.
Cytoplasm is present in both cell types, providing a medium for cellular processes.
The nucleus, responsible for genetic information and regulation, is found in both plant and animal cells.
Ribosomes, essential for protein synthesis, are present in both types of cells.
Mitochondria, known as the powerhouse of the cell, produce energy for both plant and animal cells.
Vacuoles, which store materials, are found in both types of cells but differ in size.
Both cell types contain endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi bodies, which are involved in manufacturing and transporting cellular materials.

Plant cells have a rigid cell wall that provides structural support and protection, whereas animal cells lack a cell wall, allowing for a more varied shape.
Chloroplasts in plant cells facilitate photosynthesis, enabling them to convert light energy into chemical energy; animal cells do not have chloroplasts.
Plant cells tend to have a rectangular shape, while animal cells are generally more rounded in appearance.
Energy storage differs: plant cells utilize chloroplasts to store energy in the form of sugar, while animal cells use mitochondria to release energy from consumed food.
Plant cells typically possess one large central vacuole for storage and maintaining turgor pressure, while animal cells contain several smaller vacuoles.
Lysosomes, responsible for digestion and waste disposal, are present in animal cells but are absent in plant cells.