Plant, Animal, and Fungi Cells

• Comparing plant, animal, and fungi cells is important for understanding their functions.

Similarities Between Cell Types

• All three cell types (plant, animal, and fungi) have cell membranes that enclose the cell.
• Cytoplasm, a gel-like substance containing chemicals needed by the cell, fills all three cell types.
• All three cell types possess a nucleus where DNA is stored.
• Ribosomes, which build proteins, are present in all three cell types.
• Mitochondria is in all three cell types, and uses oxygen to break down food and release energy.
• Vacuoles, containing food, water, or waste products, exist in all three cell types. However, animal cells usually have many more and much smaller vacuoles.
• Lysosomes are present in all three cell types, although they might have different names depending on the source. In fungi and plants, lysosomes are sometimes called acidic vacuoles.
• Endoplasmic reticulum (rough and smooth), a system of tubes that transports proteins and lipids
• Golgi apparatuses/bodies distribute proteins around the inside and to the outside of the cell.
• All cell types contain a cytoskeleton, vesicles, nucleus, nucleolus, endoplasmic reticulum, ribosomes, a cell membrane, golgi apparatus, mitochondrion and vacuoles.

Differences Between Cell Types

• Plant cells have cell walls made of cellulose for structure, while animal cells do not, and fungal cell walls are composed mainly of glucans, chitin, and glycoproteins.
• Plant cells ALWAYS have only one nucleolus.
• Filamentous fungi can have "multinucleated" cells that stretch over several meters.
• Plant cells have chloroplasts for photosynthesis, unlike animal and fungi cells.
• While all three cell types use mitochondria for ATP production, only plants use chloroplasts for photosynthesis to produce glucose, which mitochondria then uses for cellular respiration.
• Animal cells tend to have many small vacuoles, whereas mature plant cells may have only one large vacuole, and fungi can have many or one.
• Animal cells possess centrioles and lysosomes.
• Plant cells possess chloroplasts, a cell wall and a central vacuole.

Cells and Information

• The Nucleus is a control center of the cell.
• Nucleus contain DNA
• DNA and RNA molecules work together to make proteins. Basic Biology is a good place to find further information on the subject.
• Being able to use a Venn Diagram and hand drawn diagram to explain the subject will be beneficial.

Comparison of plant, animal, and fungi cells, highlighting their key similarities. These include cell membranes, cytoplasm, nucleus, ribosomes, and mitochondria. Vacuoles and lysosomes are also present.