How Do Plant Cells Differ from Animal Cells

Plant cells and animal cells share many similarities but they also have some striking differences. Some of the main differences between plant cells and animal cells are listed below.

Cell Wall:

The cell wall is a rigid structure that surrounds the plant cell. It is composed of a polysaccharide called cellulose. Animal cells do not have a cell wall.

Chloroplasts:

Chloroplasts are organelles present in plant cells, and they are involved in photosynthesis. Animal cells do not have chloroplasts.

Vacuoles:

Plant cells have a large, fluid-filled vacuole that is involved in maintaining the turgor pressure of the cell. Animal cells have small, scattered vacuoles.

Structural Differences:

Plant cells are generally larger than animal cells, and they are more angular or rectangular in shape. Animal cells are generally round or irregular in shape.

In addition to these differences, plant cells also have some organelles that are not present in animal cells. These organelles include plastids, which are involved in the synthesis and storage of pigments, starches, and oils, and the large central vacuole, which stores water and other substances.

On the other hand, animal cells have some organelles that are not present in plant cells. These include lysosomes, which are involved in intracellular digestion, and centrioles, which are involved in cell division.

Overall, while plant and animal cells share many similarities, there are also some key differences between the two. Understanding these differences is crucial to gaining a better understanding of how plants and animals function and how they interact with their environments.