Animal vs. Plant Cells

Animal and plant cells have many of the same characteristic. Animal cells and plant cells are both eukaryotes. They both have cell nucleus which contain chromosomes or DNA, as well as cell membrane encompassing the cell to control the substances moving in and out of the cell. They both contain enzymes from liposome for breaking down larger molecules. Animal and plant cells both transport protein into and out of cells through endoplasmic reticulum and have vacuoles where food, water, and nutrients are stored as well as provide stability for a plant. Three Differences Along with the similarities, there are also differences between animal cells and plant cells. Plant cells contain chloroplast to help make their own food whereas animal cells do not and animal cells do not possess a cell wall like plant cells do. Another difference is the shape of the cells. Animal cells are circular in nature and plant cells are rectangular. Although animal cells and plant cells both contain vacuoles: the function, quantity, and size of the vacuoles are different in each cell. Food and waste are stored in one or more small vacuoles in animal cells whereas plant cells contain one large vacuole which is mainly used for storing water and providing the plant with stability. Five Internal Structures of a Plant Some internal structures of plant cells are ribosomes, chloroplasts, nucleus, Golgi body, and central vacuole. Ribosomes are responsible for synthesizing protein and amino acid to be released inside and outside the cell. Chloroplasts capture sunlight energy to produce food for plants through photosynthesis. The nucleus is the brain of the plant; it contains DNA to characterize each cell into a specific type. The Golgi body sorts proteins and cell nutrients and releases small amounts into the cytoplasm. The central vacuole is the storage bin and backbone to the plant. It stores food and water for the plant as well as providing strength and stamina for the plant stem.