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Plants animal cells are both extremely important for the survival of millions of species and without them life could not exist. While they have many similarities, they also have quite a few differences, and even the smallest difference can be hugely important to the work they do. So how are they similar and what distinguishes plant cells from animal cells?
Well, they have a different size and shape and store different types of energy. Both have a nucleus, although it is centrally located in one and not the other. They both have cell membranes, although one has a cell wall and the other does not.
Compare animal cells with plant cells
Plant and animal cells have many differences, and each individual component is vital to the role they play. They are so essential that they are considered the building blocks of every living thing on Earth – both plant and animal. While most cells are so small that they can only be seen through a microscope, there are some key differences between them.
Check out the chart below to learn some of the key differences.
| animal cells | Plant cells | |
| Measure | 10 – 30 microns | 10 – 100 microns |
| Form | irregular shape | Solid, rigid shape – often rectangular |
| cell wall | new | Yes |
| Chloroplasts | new | Yes |
| core location | Central | Off center, to one side |
| vacuole | Many small vacuoles | Large central vacuole |
| Stored energy | Glycogen | Starch |
| Plasmodesma | new | Yes |
| lysosomes | Yes | Rarely |
| centrioles | Yes | Rarely |
The 10 main differences between plant and animal cells
Plant vs Animal Cells: Size
Animal cells are generally much smaller than plant cells. Animal cells are usually between 10 and 30 micrometers while plant cells are between 10 and 100 micrometers.
Plant versus animal cells: cell wall
Animal cells do not have a cell wall. Instead, they have a cell membrane. However, plant cells have a strong cell wall made of cellulose and a cell membrane.
Plant vs. Animal Cells: Shape
Since plant cells have a strong cell wall, they have a solid and rigid shape that is usually rectangular. However, the opposite is true for animal cells. Since they do not have a cell wall, they are irregular shapes.
Plant vs. Animal Cells: Vacuole
Vacuoles are spaces or cavities in cells enclosed by a membrane and usually containing liquid. Animal cells have many small vacuoles in them while plant cells have one large one. The vacuole in a plant cell can sometimes occupy up to 90% of it.
Plant vs. Animal Cells: Nucleus
The nucleus is one of the most important parts of a cell because it contains all the genetic information for the cell and controls cell division. In animal cells, the nucleus is located fairly centrally in the cell. However, in plant cells, it is located on one side of the cell. This is because the large fluid-filled vacuole takes up most of the space in plant cells.
Plant vs. Animal Cells: Stored Energy
Both plant and animal cells store energy and both use glucose as their main form of energy. However, they store it in different forms. Animal cells store energy in the form of glycogen, while plants store it in the form of starch.
Plant vs. Animal Cells: Chloroplasts
One of the main differences between plant and animal cells is the presence of chloroplasts. Plant cells have chloroplasts while animal cells do not. Plant cells need chloroplasts to convert energy from sunlight into usable energy through photosynthesis. Animals do not do this and therefore do not need chloroplasts.
Plant vs. Animal Cells: Plasmodesma
Plasmodesmata are small channels that lie between the cell walls of plant cells. They allow molecules, nutrients and water to move between cells – also known as intercellular communication. Plasmodesmata are only present in plant and algal cells and not in animal cells.
Plant vs. Animal Cells: Lysosomes
Lysosomes are membrane-bound organelles found in cells. Their main role is to break down proteins, acids, large molecules and unwanted materials. They are present in animal cells but very rarely found in plant cells. This is because plants have tough cell walls that are strong enough to keep all the unwanted substances out of the cell that a lysosome would usually break down.
Plant vs. Animal Cells: Centriole
Centrioles are cylindrical organelles found in the cytoplasm of animal cells. They are found near the nucleus and consist of nine microtubes arranged in a circle. Their main role is to organize the microtubules during cell division. Centrioles are found in animal cells, but are not usually found in plant cells. However, plant cells still contain microtubules.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Which parts of cells are the same in plants and animals?
Both plant and animal cells have cell membranes, a nucleus, cytoplasm, and mitochondria.
Are all plant cells the same?
No, plant cells differ per location, function, type and even per individual plant species.
What are eukaryotic cells and are both plant and animal cells eukaryotic cells?
Yes, both plant and animal cells are eukaryotic cells. Eukaryotic cells are cells that contain a nucleus and other membrane-bound organelles.
Can cells repair themselves?
Yes, both plant and animal cells can repair themselves. Known as regeneration, this is a natural process that allows plants and animals to repair and replace cells and tissues, heal wounds and in some limited cases even regrow limbs, such as starfish regrowth arms and lizards growing tails.
Can cells produce their own food?
Plant cells can produce their own food, but animal cells cannot. This is because plant cells contain chloroplasts, so they can convert energy from sunlight into nutrients — and therefore produce their own food using the process known as photosynthesis. Animal cells don’t contain chloroplasts, so they can’t make their own food, meaning they have to get it
fr
om another source. This is why plants are known as producers while animals are known as consumers.
What are the Different Types of Animal Cells?
Some of the different types of animal cells include blood, muscle, nerve, skin, and stem cells.
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