Cell Membrane Notes

1. Comparing animal and plant cells

Plant and Animal Cells

Chapter 3: Cell Biology

Plant and animal cells have slight differences in their internal structures while some features are common in both. The figures below show the components of both plant and animal cells as seen under a light microscope.

Plant Cell

Cell Wall

Cell Membrane

Nucleus

Chloroplast

Vacuole

Diagram showing plant cell structure

Animal Cell

Cell Membrane

Nucleus

Mitochondria

Small Vacuoles

Diagram showing animal cell structure

Complete Comparison Table

Feature	Plant Cell	Animal Cell
Size	Large in size (10-100 micrometers)	Small compared to plant cells (10-30 micrometers)
Cell Wall	Present - made of cellulose	Absent - no cell wall
Cell Membrane	Present	Present
Nucleus	Present - controls cell activities	Present - controls cell activities
Chloroplasts	Present - contain chlorophyll for photosynthesis	Absent - no chloroplasts
Vacuoles	Large permanent vacuole - stores water and maintains pressure	Small temporary vacuoles or none - for storage and transport
Mitochondria	Present - cellular respiration	Present - powerhouse of the cell
Shape	Fixed rectangular/square shape due to cell wall	Variable round/irregular shape
Main Function	Photosynthesis and food production	Movement, feeding, and rapid response

P Plant Cell Unique Features

Size: They are large in size.
Cell Wall: It has a cell wall made of cellulose.
Chloroplasts: Some plant cells have chloroplasts that give the plant its green colour.
Vacuole: Plant cells have a permanent vacuole that occupies a large part of the cell.

A Animal Cell Unique Features

Size: They are small compared to plant cells.
Cell Wall: It does not have a cell wall.
Chloroplasts: It lacks chloroplasts.
Vacuole: Animal cells usually do not have vacuoles, however, small temporary vacuoles may occur.

✓ Similarities between Plant and Animal Cells

Cell Membrane: They both have the cell membrane.

Nucleus: Both have nucleus within them.