Back to: Botany 100 Level
Hello, my brilliant Afrilearn scholar! I hope you’re doing great today! Have you ever wondered why plants and animals look so different? Even though all living things are made of cells, plant cells and animal cells are not the same. Their differences explain why plants can make their own food, while animals must eat, and why plants can stand tall without bones. Today, we are going to learn about the differences between plant and animal cells and why these differences matter.
Differences between plant and animal cells
Plant vs. Animal Cells: What Makes Them Different?
Both plant and animal cells are eukaryotic cells, meaning they have a nucleus and other organelles enclosed in a membrane. However, plant cells have some special structures that animal cells do not have. These differences allow plants to survive in their own unique way. Let’s look at these differences one by one.
1. Cell Wall (Only in Plant Cells)
Plant cells have a strong, rigid cell wall made of cellulose.
The cell wall supports the plant and helps it stand upright, even without bones!
Animal cells do not have a cell wall, so they are softer and more flexible.
2. Shape
Because of the cell wall, plant cells usually have a fixed, rectangular shape.
Animal cells are rounder or irregular in shape because they do not have a rigid outer layer.
3. Chloroplasts (Only in Plant Cells)
Plant cells contain chloroplasts, which have chlorophyll, the green pigment that allows plants to make their own food through photosynthesis.
Animal cells do not have chloroplasts because animals cannot produce their own food—they must eat plants or other animals.
4. Vacuole Size
Plant cells have one large central vacuole that stores water, nutrients, and waste. This vacuole also keeps the plant firm.
Animal cells have small vacuoles (or sometimes none at all).
5. Lysosomes (More Common in Animal Cells)
Lysosomes are small organelles that help break down waste and old cell parts.
They are common in animal cells but rare in plant cells because plant cells can store waste in the vacuole.
6. Centrioles (Only in Animal Cells)
Animal cells have centrioles, which help in cell division.
Most plant cells do not have centrioles. Instead, they use other structures to divide.
Key Differences Between Plant and Animal Cells
Feature
Plant Cell
Animal Cell
Cell Wall
Present (made of cellulose)
Absent
Shape
Fixed, rectangular
Irregular, round
Chloroplasts
Present (for photosynthesis)
Absent
Vacuole
One large central vacuole
Small vacuoles or none
Lysosomes
Rare
Common
Centrioles
Absent in most plant cells
Present
Why Do These Differences Matter?
These differences help plants and animals survive in their own unique ways:
Plants can stand upright without bones because of their cell walls.
Plants make their own food using chloroplasts, while animals must eat.
Plants store water in their large vacuole, helping them survive dry periods.
Animals have flexible bodies that allow movement, unlike plants which are stationary.
Summary
Plant and animal cells have many similarities but also important differences.
Plant cells have a cell wall, chloroplasts, and a large vacuole, which help them make food and stay strong.
Animal cells lack a cell wall and chloroplasts but have lysosomes and centrioles, which help them break down waste and divide.
These differences explain why plants and animals function differently in nature.
Evaluation
- What are three key differences between plant and animal cells?
- Why do plant cells have a cell wall while animal cells do not?
- What is the function of chloroplasts, and why are they only found in plant cells?
- How does the vacuole in plant cells help them survive?
- Why don’t animal cells have chloroplasts?
You are doing fantastic! Look at the plants and animals around you—each one is perfectly designed for its way of life! Keep learning, keep growing, and always believe in your amazing potential. See you in the next lesson!
School Owner? Grow your school with Africa's most trusted school management + content platformGet more class notes, videos, homework help, exam practice on Android [DOWNLOAD]
Get more class notes, videos, homework help, exam practice on iPhone [DOWNLOAD]