Eukaryotic Cells: Comparing Plant and Animal Cells (A-level Biology)
Eukaryotic Cells: Comparing Plant and Animal Cells
Features of Animal and Plant Cells
Animal Cells
- Animal cells are heterotrophic. The main distinction between animal cells versus plant cells is that animals are heterotrophs, meaning they cannot generate their own food via photosynthesis.
- Animals can be unicellular or multicellular. There are many different types of single celled, or unicellular, animals. In fact, there are almost as many single celled animals (e.g. amoeba) as there are multicellular animals (e.g. humans).
- Animal cells have most organelles. Animal cells only lack a cell wall, vacuole and chloroplasts (compared to plant cells).
Plant Cells
- Plant cells are autotrophic. Most plant species are multicellular eukaryotes which carry out photosynthesis. They are different in certain aspects from animal cells – for example, they are autotrophs and make their own food via photosynthesis.
- Plant cells have all organelles. In addition to the animal cell organelles, plant cells have a cellulose cell wall, a vacuole and chloroplasts.
Structural Differences Between Animal Cells and Plant Cells
- Although animal cells and plant cells are very similar, they have major differences which separate them. These differences are summarised below:
- Plant cells have chloroplasts. Chloroplasts are involved in photosynthesis. Animals do not undergo photosynthesis. Therefore, they do not have chloroplasts.
- Plant cells have a cell wall. Plant cells have a cell wall in addition to having a cell surface membrane. Animal cells only have a cell surface membrane.
- Plant cells have a large central vacuole. Animal cells do not.
FAQs
Eukaryotic cells are cells that contain a nucleus and other membrane-bound organelles. They are the basic unit of life in all complex organisms, including animals and plants. Understanding the structure and function of eukaryotic cells is crucial to our understanding of biology and physiology.
Plant and animal cells have many similarities, but there are also some key differences. Plant cells have a rigid cell wall made of cellulose, while animal cells do not. Plant cells also have chloroplasts for photosynthesis, while animal cells do not.
The cell wall is a protective structure that surrounds the plant cell and provides support and rigidity. It also helps to maintain the shape of the cell and prevent it from bursting. The cell wall also acts as a barrier, controlling what enters and exits the cell.
Chloroplasts are organelles found in plant cells that are responsible for photosynthesis. They contain chlorophyll, which absorbs light energy, and other pigments that are involved in the light-dependent reactions of photosynthesis.
The nucleus is the control center of the eukaryotic cell. It contains the cell’s genetic material, DNA, and is responsible for regulating the cell’s growth and division. The nucleus also controls the expression of genes, which determines the cell’s function and characteristics.
Mitochondria are organelles in eukaryotic cells that are responsible for producing the energy needed by the cell. They are known as the “powerhouses” of the cell because they produce ATP (adenosine triphosphate), which is the energy currency of the cell.
The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is an organelle in eukaryotic cells that is involved in protein synthesis and transport. It is composed of a network of flattened membranes and is responsible for folding and modifying newly synthesized proteins and preparing them for transport to other parts of the cell or to the cell surface.
The Golgi apparatus is an organelle in eukaryotic cells that is involved in the processing and sorting of proteins and lipids. It receives newly synthesized proteins from the endoplasmic reticulum and modifies them before sending them to their final destination, such as the cell surface, other organelles, or outside of the cell.
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