In this article we will discuss about difference between animal cell and plant cell
Difference Between Animal Cell and Plant Cell
1. Cell Wall: Plant cells have a rigid cell wall composed of cellulose outside the plasma membrane, providing structural support. Animal cells lack a cell wall.
2. Shape: Animal cells are typically round or irregular in shape, while plant cells have a more fixed rectangular or square shape.
3. Chloroplasts: Plant cells contain chloroplasts, which are responsible for photosynthesis and contain chlorophyll. Animal cells do not have chloroplasts.
4. Vacuoles: Plant cells have a large central vacuole that occupies a significant portion of the cell’s volume. Animal cells may have small vacuoles, but they are not as prominent as those in plant cells.
5. Centrioles: Animal cells have centrioles, which are involved in cell division. Plant cells lack centrioles.
6. Plasmodesmata: Plant cells are interconnected by plasmodesmata, channels that allow for communication and transport of molecules between adjacent cells. Animal cells do not have plasmodesmata.
7. Lysosomes: Animal cells contain numerous lysosomes, which are membrane-bound organelles involved in intracellular digestion. Plant cells have fewer lysosomes or may lack them entirely.
8. Storage of Starch: Plant cells can store starch as a form of energy reserve in plastids called amyloplasts. Animal cells do not store starch.
9. Mitochondrial Shape: Mitochondria in animal cells are typically small and have a more variable shape. In plant cells, mitochondria are larger and often have a more elongated shape.
10. Presence of Gap Junctions: Animal cells can form gap junctions, specialized protein channels that allow for direct cell-to-cell communication. Plant cells do not have gap junctions.
Summary: Difference Between Animal Cell and Plant Cell
- Plant cells have a cell wall, while animal cells lack a cell wall.
- Plant cells have chloroplasts for photosynthesis, which animal cells lack.
- Plant cells have a large central vacuole, while animal cells have smaller vacuoles.
- Animal cells have centrioles involved in cell division, while plant cells lack centrioles.
- Plant cells are interconnected by plasmodesmata, while animal cells are not.
- Animal cells contain numerous lysosomes, while plant cells have fewer or may lack them.
- Plant cells can store starch, while animal cells do not.
- Mitochondria in animal cells are smaller and more variable in shape, while plant cells have larger and often elongated mitochondria.
- Animal cells can form gap junctions for direct cell-to-cell communication, while plant cells do not have gap junctions.
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Cell Biology Notes
