Difference Between Animal Cell and Plant Cell

In this article, we are telling the difference between animal cells and plant cells. You have got a minimum of 2 to 3 questions in SSC cgl , banking and other competitive exam related to this topic. You are reading detailed information about this topic which is mentioned below.

Animal Cells

An animal cell is a member of the eukaryotic cell. Animal cells are the fundamental component of life in organisms of the kingdom Animalia. Animal cells have a real nucleus and specific structures called organelles that perform various functions. Animal cells have absent plant-specific organelles such as chloroplasts, which are used for photosynthesis, or cell walls, which maintain plant cells. The cells that make up an animal are called Animal cells. Animals are com[posed of one or more cells, termed called multicellular, that work together and make up the tissues and organs that form the body of the animal.  In reality, many of these cells can look and operate differently from one another since they may need to perform so many intricate activities.

Animal cells range in size from a few microscopic microns to a few millimetres. The largest recorded animal cell is the ostrich egg, which can stretch over 5.1 inches across and weighs about 1.4 kilograms. And when we described the minimum neuron in the human body then it is approximately 100 microns across which are very different from each other.

Animal cells can also vary in shape; some are flat, while others are oval or rod-shaped. Intriguing shapes including curved, spherical, concave, and rectangular are also available. Only a microscope can view most of the cells because of their minuscule size.

The membrane-bound nucleus is present in animal cells which are eukaryotic cells. Additionally, the nuclei of these cells perform the evidence of DNA. They also include other cellular structures and membrane-bound organelles that carry out specialized functions required for a cell to function effectively.

Plant Cells

Plant cells are eukaryotic cells that are found in green plants. Photosynthetic eukaryotes belong to the kingdom Plantae, which means they have a membrane-bound nucleus. Plant and animal cells have a true nucleus as well as related organelles to maintain the regular functioning of the cells The presence of a cell wall outside of the cell membrane is one of the unique features of a plant.

Difference Between Animal Cells and Plant Cells

Feature	Plant Cells	Animal Cells
Cell Wall	The cell wall is present in plant cells and is made up of cellulose. The cell wall is the outermost layer of plant cells.	it is absent in the animal cell.
Shape	They have a definite and rigid shape which means they usually exist in rectangular or cubical shapes.	They exist in round and irregular shapes.
Chloroplast	Chloroplasts are present in plant cells that make their own food.	Chloroplast absent in animal cell
Mitochondria	It is present in a small number in plant cells. Plants cells generally have approximately 200-600 mitochondria per cell.	It is present in a large number compared to plant cells, Animal cells generally have approximately  2000 per cell.
Nucleus	It is present and controls the functioning of cells.	It is present and stores the cell’s DNA,
Plasma Membrane	PM is present and it is surrounded by cell walls in the plant cell.	PM is present in animal cells. it provides protection for the cell.
Vacuoles	Vacuoles are few large or single and centrally positioned and provide structural support. One huge vacuole.	Vacuoles are commonly small in size and sometimes they are absent.
Mode of Nutrition	It is the present mainly autotrophic mode of nutrition which means they synthesize their own nutrients such as amino acids, vitamins coenzymes that are required by the plant.	The mode of nutrition is heterotrophic. which means they cannot synthesize their own nutrients.
Golgi apparatus	A Single highly difficult and prominent Golgi apparatus is present.	The mode of nutrition is heterotrophic. which means they cannot synthesize their own nutrients.

Similarities in Animal Cell and Plant Cell

1. Both consist of the plasma membrane and middle lamella.

2. Both consist of ribosomes in different units.

3. Both consist of the endoplasmic reticulum.

Frequently Asked Questions    

Que.1 What is the difference between plant cells and animal cells with respect to the cell wall?

Ans– The cell wall is present in plant cells and is the outermost layer of plant cells and is absent in animal cells.

Que.2 What is the role of blood cells in animal cells?

Ans- Blood cells play an essential role in the animal cell acting as a transporter in the body that carries hormones and nutrients. Primarily, the blood transport oxygen to the many tissues of the body and helps to withdraw carbon dioxide from them.

Que.3 Which organelle is called the powerhouse of the cell?

Ans– It is present in a small number of plant cells. Plants cells generally have approximately 200-600 mitochondria per cell and a larger number in animal cells. The Mitochondrial is also known as the Powerhouse of the cell.

Que.4 Which are the organelles that are similar in both plant cells and animal cells?

Ans- Both contain membrane-bound organelles like the nucleus, mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus, ribosomes, cytoplasm and peroxisomes. Both have membrane, cytosol and cytoskeletal components that are comparable.