Table of Contents
Plant cells and animal cells exhibit distinct differences. Plant cells are characterized by a rigid cell wall, chloroplasts that facilitate photosynthesis, and a large central vacuole. In contrast, animal cells lack these features and instead contain centrioles and lysosomes.
What is a Plant Cell? (Definition & Structure)
The Plant Kingdom mostly consists of many-celled living things that make their own food. Plant cells have special parts like chloroplasts, cell walls, and vacuoles that make them different from animal cells. There are lots of plant types we haven’t found yet, but we know about around 400,000 of them.
Plant Cells are usually between 10 and 100 µm in size. They do photosynthesis, which means they turn sunlight into food. That’s why we call green plants “autotrophs.” They can do this because they have chlorophyll in their chloroplasts. The cell wall, made of cellulose, gives plant cells support and strength.
Plant cell diagram with labels
What is an Animal Cell? (Definition & Structure)
The Animal Kingdom includes three-fourths of all Earth’s species. In the human body, we have around 10^14 cells, and they range in size from 10 to 30 micrometers. Unlike plant cells, Animal Cells lack a cell wall and chloroplasts. The key difference between animal and plant cells is that animal cells can’t make their own food. Most animal cells have three main parts: the nucleus, cell membrane, and cytoplasm.
Some people believe that as cells evolved, the cell walls disappeared, leading to more advanced animal cells, tissues, and specialized organs. These changes helped animals develop abilities like moving with muscles and nerves and performing various functions.
Key Differences Between Plant Cell and Animal Cell (Comparison Table)
| Plant cell | Animal cell |
| A plant cell is surrounded by a rigid cell wall. | An animal cell does not have a cell wall. |
| Presence of a large vacuole is seen in plant cells. | Whereas there are very small vacuoles as compared to plant cells are seen in animal cells. |
| Larger in size. | Smaller in size. |
| Plant cells have plastids. | Animal cells do not have plastids. |
| Centrosomes are absent in plant cells | Animal cells have centrosomes. |
| Plant cells do not have cilia. | Animal cells have cilia. |
| Lysosomes are very rare in plant cells. | Animal cells have lysosomes. |
Similarities Between Plant Cell and Animal Cell
Despite their differences, both plant cells and animal cells share common features like:
- Nucleus
- Cytoplasm
- Mitochondria
- Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER)
- Golgi Apparatus
- Cell Membrane
Diagram of Plant Cell and Animal Cell for Visual Learning
For better understanding, refer to the labeled diagram below showing the structure of both cell type-
Why Are Plant Cells Larger Than Animal Cells?
Plant cells are generally larger than animal cells due to several key structural differences:
- Cell Wall: Plant cells have a rigid cell wall made of cellulose, which provides structural support and allows them to maintain their shape and size. This rigidity enables plant cells to be larger without collapsing under their own weight.
- Vacuoles: Plant cells contain a large central vacuole that can occupy up to 90% of the cell’s volume. This vacuole is crucial for storing water, nutrients, and maintaining turgor pressure, which helps keep the plant upright and rigid.. In contrast, animal cells have smaller, more numerous vacuoles primarily involved in endocytosis and exocytosis.
- Shape and Size Range: Plant cells typically have a fixed rectangular shape due to their cell wall, and their size can range from 10 to 100 micrometers. Animal cells are usually irregular or round in shape and smaller, typically ranging from 10 to 30 micrometers.
Why Do Animal Cells Lack Chloroplasts?
Animal cells lack chloroplasts because they do not need to perform photosynthesis, which is the process of converting sunlight into chemical energy. Here are some reasons why animal cells do not have chloroplasts:
- Energy Source: Animals obtain their energy by consuming other organisms or organic matter, a process known as heterotrophy. This means they do not need to produce their own food through photosynthesis like plants do.
- Evolutionary Pathway: The evolutionary lineage of animals diverged from that of plants early in the history of life on Earth. Animals evolved to be mobile and to consume food, whereas plants evolved to be stationary and to produce their own food through photosynthesis.
- Cellular Specialization: Animal cells are specialized for various functions such as movement, sensation, and complex tissue formation. They do not require the large amounts of energy storage and synthesis that chloroplasts provide to plant cells.
- Mitochondria Role: Animal cells rely on mitochondria for energy production through cellular respiration, which is more efficient for their lifestyle compared to photosynthesis.
- Lack of Light Exposure: Most animal cells are not exposed to sufficient light to make photosynthesis practical or necessary. Even in animals that live in well-lit environments, their cells are often not adapted to capture and utilize sunlight for energy production.
Which is Stronger: Plant Cell or Animal Cell?
Plant cells are generally stronger than animal cells due to the presence of a rigid cell wall. This cell wall, primarily made of cellulose, provides structural support and protection, allowing plant cells to maintain their shape and resist external pressure. The cell wall also enables plant cells to develop turgor pressure, which is crucial for maintaining the rigidity of plant tissues.
In contrast, animal cells lack a cell wall and are surrounded only by a flexible plasma membrane. This flexibility allows animal cells to change shape and move more easily, which is important for their functions in tissues like muscles and nerves. However, this flexibility means that animal cells are not as strong or rigid as plant cells when it comes to withstanding external forces or maintaining a fixed shape.
Therefore, while animal cells have advantages in terms of mobility and adaptability, plant cells are stronger in terms of structural integrity and resistance to external forces.
FAQs on Difference Between Plant Cell & Animal Cell
What are the 5 major differences between plant cell and animal cell?
The key differences are in cell wall, chloroplasts, vacuoles, shape, and nutrition mode.
How to remember the difference between plant and animal cells?
Use the mnemonic: Plants Have Wall & Leaves (PHWL) – Plant cells have a Hard Wall and perform Leaf photosynthesis.
Why is the nucleus important in both plant and animal cells?
The nucleus controls all cell activities, including growth, reproduction, and gene expression.
Why do plant cells have cell walls and animal cells do not?
Plant cells need a cell wall for structural support and protection, allowing them to maintain their shape and withstand external forces. This is crucial for plants to grow upright and resist mechanical stress. Animal cells do not require a cell wall because they are more mobile and need to change shape frequently, which is facilitated by their flexible plasma membrane
Does an animal cell have a cell membrane?
Yes, animal cells have a cell membrane, also known as the plasma membrane. It is flexible and allows for the movement and change of shape in animal cells.
Does a plant cell have a cell wall?
Yes, plant cells have a cell wall. It is composed primarily of cellulose and provides structural support and protection.
What similarities do plant and animal cells have?
Despite their differences, plant and animal cells share several similarities: 1. Both are eukaryotic cells, meaning they have membrane-bound organelles like the nucleus and mitochondria. 2. Both contain RNA and DNA. 3. Both undergo aerobic respiration for energy production. 4. Both have complex structures for transportation and require enzymes for survival.
