Plant and

Animal
Cell
Parts, Functions
and Differences
Leandro Angelo Castro
ComSec 1B
Submitted to:
Prof. Ranina Leonor
Project in
NSC 002 (Biological
Science)
Date: 4 January 2016

Parts of Animal and Plant Cells

Following are the parts and description of the animal cell and plant cell

Cell membrane: Known as the gatekeeper, it seperates the cell from the
rest of the environment and helps control what passes in and out of the cell.
It is the outer lining of the cell which encloses all other cell organelles. The
cell membrane also known as the plasma membrane is semi-permeable. It
allows only specific molecules to pass through and blocking others.
Cell wall: The cell wall is a rigid layer that surrounds the plant cells and
protects it. Plant cell walls are primarily made up of cellulose. It is located
outside the cell membrane whose main function is to provide rigidity,
strength, protection against mechanical stress and infection.
Cytoplasm: It is the fluid substance, somewhat jelly-like in substance that fills
the cell and acts as a medium for chemical reactions within a cell. All the cell
organelles are suspended in the cytoplasm. The cytoplasm maintains the
osmotic concentration of the cells and prevents them from bursting or
shrinking.
Nucleus: It is the brainor control center orunit of the cell. It is a membrane
bound organelle, spherical in shape. Most of the activities of the cell are
directed by the nucleus.
All the cells in an animal have one complete set of genes in its nucleus. The
genetic material DNA helps in protein formation.
Nucleolus: It is darkly stained are in the nucleus, it aids in protein formation
and RNA synthesis.
Nuclear membrane: It is the porous double membrane layer surrounding the
nucleus. It allows passage of substances and is a distinctive characteristic of
the eukaryotic cell.
Nucleoplasm: It is the semi-fluid substance inside the nucleus, contains the
genetic material and the nucleolus.
Mitochondria: Mitochondria is one of the largest organ of the cell and is known
as the 'power house of the cell'. It is a spherical or rod shaped organelles and
is enveloped by a double membrane. It breaks down sugar molecules to
release energy. The mitochondria aid in conversion of glucose to high energy

Prepared by: le_@ncastro

molecules (ATP) for the cell. It is also the site of cellular respiration. It is selfreplicationg and has its own DNA.
Ribosomes: Ribosomes are found on the endoplasmic reticulum. Together they
help in manufacturing proteins for the cell following instructions of the
nucleus.
Lysosomes: Known as stomach of the cell, lysosomes are membrane bound
organelles, they contain digestive enzymes. It helps the cell digest food.
They break down the waste products and detoxify the cell.
Centrosome: It is a small body located near the nucleus. Centrioles are made in
the centrosomes. During cell division the centromere organizes the assembly
of the micro-tubules.
Centriole: Organizes special pasts of the cytoskeletoncall microtubules for cell
division,migrates to opposite endsof the cell to assist with cell division.
Endoplasmic reticulum (ER): It is a large network of interconnecting membrane
tunnels. The transportation network for the cell, it moves materials around
the cell. it is composed of both rough endoplasmic reticulum and smooth
endoplasmic reticulum. The rough endoplasmic reticulum is covered with
ribosomes hence appears rough. They follow the instructions from the
nucleus and make proteins the cell needs. The smooth endoplasmic
reticulum is continuous with the outer nuclear membrane. It transports
material through the cell and produces and digests lipids and membrane
proteins.
Golgi apparatus: They are flattened stacks of membrane bound sacs. They
function as the packaging unit; the proteins formed by the endoplasmic
reticulum are packed into small membrane sacs called vesicles. Packages
proteins made by the ribosomes so they can be sent out of the cell.
Vacuoles: They are organelles for storing food, water and waste for the cell.
Small membrane bound vacuoles filled with fluids and water is present in
animals. In plant cells the vacuoles perform functions of secretion, excretion
and storage.
Chloroplasts: A special plastid in plant cells. It is an elongated or disc-shaped
organelle containing chlorophyll, a pigment that captures suns energy to
produce glucose. The process is known as photosynthesis.

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Cytoskeleton: It is a network of fibers made up of micro-tubule and microfilament. They maintain the shape and gives support to the cell.
Plasmodesmata: They are microscopic channels which traverse the cell
walls of plant cells and enables transport and communication between them.
Vesicle: Storesand transports substances from the Golgi body to the cell
membrane for export.
Plastids: Plastids are storage organelles. They store products like starch for
synthesis of fatty acids and terpenes.

Comparison of Plant Cells and Animal Cells

Plant Cell
Cell Wall
Plastids
Chloroplasts
Vacuoles
Lysosomes

Cell wall made of cellulose is present in

almost all cells.
Plastids like leucoplasts, chloroplast
and chromoplasts are present.
Plants cells have chloroplasts to
prepare their own food.

Animal Cell
Cell wall is absent.
No plastids found.
Chloroplasts completely absent.

Cell sap containing vacuoles are

Vacuoles are usually absent or one or

present.

more small vacuoles are seen.

Lysosomes not evident.

Lysosomes occur in cytoplasm.

Due to the presence of the vacuole at

Nucleus

the centre of the cell, nucleus may be

Nucleus is usually located centrally.

located at the edge of the cell.

Plant cells have many simpler units of

Animal cells have a single highly

golgi complex, called dictyosomes.

elaborate golgi complex.

Present

Present

Ribosomes

Present

Present

Mitochondria

Present

Present

Present only in lower plant forms.

Present

Present

Present

May be found in some cells.

May be found in some cells.

Golgi bodies
Endoplasmic
reticulum

Centrioles
Microtubules/
microfilaments
Flagella

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Cilia
Nutrition

Very rare
Can prepare own food through
photosynthesis.

Present
Cannot make own food. They depend
directly or indirectly on plants for their
food.

Locomotion

Most plants do not exhibit movement.

Growth and

Keep growing throughout their life and Growth stops after maturation, but body

development
Cell shape and
structure
Starch grains

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are localized in the apical meristem.

Rigid, fixes rectangular shape.
Present

Most animals exhibit locomotion

cells are replaced periodically.
Lack rigidity, are round and irregular
shape.
Are not present.