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Animal Cells
VS
Plant Cells 

Animal and Plant cells have many similarities. They are both eukaryotic cells. Within these cells, there are specialized organelles with their own unique functions. Some organelles are only present in animal cells while others are only present in plant cells, but several of them are common in both!

Animal Cells:
An animal cell is a eukaryotic cell that lacks a cell wall, and it is enclosed by the plasma membrane. The organelles are enclosed by the cell membrane including the nucleus. Unlike the animal cell lacking the cell wall, plant cells have a cell wall.

Animal cell size and shape:

  • Animal cells come in all shapes and sizes, with their size ranging from just a few millimetres to micrometers! The largest animal cell to exist is the ostrich egg which has a 5-inch diameter and weighs about 1.2-1.4kg and the smallest animal cells are neurons of about 100 microns in diameter.

  • Animal cells are smaller than plant cells and they are generally an irregular shape due to the lack of the cell wall.

  • However, animal cells share similar organelles with plant cells as they both evolved from eukaryotic cells.

List of 8 Animal Cell Organelles (and their functions)

  • Animal Cell membrane - To enclose and protect the cell content

  • Nucleus - To control and regulate cell activities 

  • Cytoplasm - A gel-like material that holds all the cell organelles, enclosed within the cell membrane.

  • Mitochondria - Are the "powerhouses" of the cell that produce energy by performing cellular respiration.

  • Ribosomes – Produces Proteins which are essential for cellular functions such as repairing damage.

  • Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER) - Manufacturing, processing and transporting proteins for the cell to use both in and out of the cell.

  • Golgi Bodies - Its main function is packaging and producing proteins. It receives the proteins from the Endoplasmic Reticulum.

  • Vacuoles - To store food, water, carbohydrates in the form of sugars and waste materials. They also remove poorly grouped proteins from the cell. Additionally they can also change their functionality to provide necessary roles that adapt to the cell, by being able to change their shape and size.


Plant Cells:
Plant cells are also eukaryotic cells that are mainly found in green plants! Unlike animal cells, plant cells have a cell wall which is why they have their boxy structure.

Plant cell size and shape:

  • Overall, plant cells are a LOT bigger than animal cells often in similar sizes and in a cubed or rectangular shape.

  • Plant cells also have organelles that are not found in animal cells including the cell wall, vacuoles, plastids, chloroplast, etc.

List of 8 Plant Cell Organelles (and their functions)

  • Cell Wall - Providing protection by shielding the cell from chemically harsh environments.

  • Plant Cell membrane - Separates the cytoplasm from the cell wall. It also acts as a security guard that controls what moves in and out of the cell

  • Cytoplasm - A gel-like material that holds all the cell organelles, enclosed within the cell membrane.

  • Vacuoles (Plant) - Used to adjust the size of the cell and are also responsible for the storage of cellular nutrients.

  • Mitochondria - Are the "powerhouses" of the cell that produce energy by performing cellular respiration.

  • Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) - Manufacturing, processing and transporting proteins for the cell to use both in and out of the cell.

  • Ribosomes - Produces Proteins which are essential for cellular functions such as repairing damage.

  • Golgi bodies - Its main function is packaging and producing proteins. It receives the proteins from the Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER).

  • Nucleus - To control and regulate cell activities

  • Chloroplasts - Site of photosynthesis, resulting in the production of oxygen and energy.

In conclusion, both animal and plant cells are complex eukaryotic cells with many shared organelles like the nucleus, mitochondria, and ribosomes. However, their key differences, such as the plant cell's rigid cell wall and chloroplasts for photosynthesis versus the animal cell's lack of these, reflect their distinct roles in nature and lead to their unique structures and functions.

Comparison Table:

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A Photo of A Plant & Animal Cell Diagram

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A Photo of An Animal Cell Diagram

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A Photo of A Plant Cell Diagram

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