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Structurally, plant and animal cells are very similar because they are both eukaryotic cells. They both contain membrane-bound organelles such as the nucleus, mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus, lysosomes, and peroxisomes. Both also contain similar membranes, cytosol, and cytoskeletal elements. The functions of these organelles are extremely similar between the two classes of cells (peroxisomes perform additional complex functions in plant cells having to do with cellular respiration). However, the few differences that exist between plant and animals are very significant and reflect a difference in the functions of each cell.

Plant cells can be larger than animal cells. The normal range for an animal cell varies from 10 to 30 micrometers while that for a plant cell stretches from 10 to 100 micrometers. Beyond size, the main structural differences between plant and animal cells lie in a few additional structures found in animal cells. These structures include: chloroplasts, the cell wall, and vacuoles.

ChloroplastsIn animal cells, the mitochondria produces the majority of the cells energy from food. It does not have the same function in plant cells. Plant cells use sunlight as their energy source; the sunlight must be converted into energy inside the cell in a process called photosynthesis. Chloroplasts are the structures that perform this function. They are rather large, double membrane-bound structures (about 5 micrometers across) that contain the substance chlorophyll, which absorbs sunlight. Additional membranes within the chloroplast contain the structures that actually carry out photosynthesis.

Chloroplasts carry out energy conversion through a complex set of reactions similar to those performed by mitochondria in animals. The double membrane structure of chloroplasts is also reminiscent of mitochondria. The inner membrane encloses an area called the stoma, which is analogous to the matrix in mitochondria and houses DNA, RNA, ribosomes, and different enzymes. Chloroplasts, however, contain a third membrane and are generally larger than mitochondria.

The Cell WallAnother structural difference between in plant cells is the presence of a rigid cell wall surrounding the cell membrane. This wall can range from 0.1 to 10 micrometers thick and is composed of fats and sugars. The tough wall gives added stability and protection to the plant cell. VacuolesVacuoles are large, liquid-filled organelles found only in plant cells. Vacuoles can occupy up to 90% of a cell's volume and have a single membrane. Their main function is as a space-filler in the cell, but they can also fill digestive functions similar to lysosomes (which are also present in plant cells). Vacuoles contain a number of enzymes that perform diverse functions, and their interiors can be used as storage for nutrients or, as mentioned, provide a place to degrade unwanted substances.
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Related Questions

What two things can you find in a plant cell that you cannot find in an animal cell?

there are 2 things that plant have while animal dont plant have a cell wall,has a chloroplast and animal dont the only thing that animal have that plant dont is a flagella ..(:


What cell part can be found in plant cell but not in animal cell?

Plant cells have chloroplasts, a cell wall and a large central vacuole which animal cells dont


Which has more structure plant or animal cell?

animal cells, if you dont believe me


What do plant cells have that animal cells dont have?

A cell wall.


A plant cell has two parts that animal cells do not have they are the?

These parts are the cell wall (animal cells just have a cell membrane) and the vacuole. Plants also have chloroplasts which animal cells do not have.


What is similarities between plant cells and animal cell?

i dont know . because i dont know .


Where is a cell membrane found?

In a plant or animal cell and it... i dont really know...


What do animal cells have that plant cells dont?

Animal cells have centrioles, lysosomes, and flagella, which are structures that are typically absent in plant cells. These components play important roles in cell division, intracellular digestion, and cell movement in animal cells.


What do plant cells have animal cells dont?

chloroplast and cell wall and a LARGE vacoule


Is the Nucleolus found in plant or animal cells?

The nucleus if found in both plant and animal cells.


What is one organelle found in an animal cell but not plant cells?

the organelle found in an animal cell but not in plant cells is the centriols because centriols are involved in movement and olants dont move


What are three ways a plant cell is different from an animal cell?

There are a range of differences. Some are listed below: Plant cells are enclosed by a cellulose cell wall whereas animal cells are not. Some plant cells have chloroplasts whereas animal cells never have chloroplasts. Plant cells have a large, permanent central vacuole whereas animal cells have small, temporary vacuoles. Plant cells are interconnected by plasmodesmata whereas animal cells are not. Animal cells have centrioles whereas plant cells do not.