Plant and animal cells have several differences and similarities.

For example, animal cells do not have a cell wall or chloroplasts but plant cells do. Animal cells are round and irregular in shape while plant cells have fixed rectangular shapes.

Comparison chart
Animal Cell Cell wall: Shape: Vacuole: Centrioles: Chloroplast: Cytoplasm: Endoplasmic Reticulum (Smooth and Rough): Ribosomes: Mitochondria: Plastids: Golgi Apparatus: Plasma Membrane: Absent Round (irregular shape) Plant Cell Present Rectangular (fixed shape)

One or more small vacuoles (much One, large central vacuole taking up smaller than plant cells). 90% of cell volume. Present in all animal cells Animal cells don't have chloroplasts Present Present Present Present Absent Present only cell membrane Only present in lower plant forms. Plant cells have chloroplasts because they make their own food Present Present Present Present Present Present cell wall and a cell membrane Present May be found in some cells Lysosomes usually not evident. Present It is very rare

Microtubules/ Microfilaments: Present Flagella: Lysosomes: Nucleus: Cilia: May be found in some cells Lysosomes occur in cytoplasm. Present Present

Animal cells are eukaryotic cells, or cells with a membrane-bound nucleus. Unlike prokaryotic cells, DNA in animal cells is housed within the nucleus. In addition to having a nucleus, animal cells also contain other membrane-bound organelles, or tiny cellular structures, that carry out specific functions necessary for normal cellular operation. Organelles have a wide range of responsibilities that include everything from producing hormones and enzymes to providing energy for animal cells. Animal Cells: Structures and Organelles The following are examples of structures and organelles that can be found in typical animal cells: Centrioles - organize the assembly of microtubules during cell division.[ Cytoplasm - gel-like substance within the cell. Endoplasmic Reticulum - extensive network of membranes composed of both regions with ribosomes (rough ER) and regions without ribosomes (smooth ER). Golgi Complex - responsible for manufacturing, storing and shipping certain cellular products. Lysosomes - sacs of enzymes that digest cellular macromolecules such as nucleic acids. Microtubules - hollow rods that function primarily to help support and shape the cell. Mitochondria - power producers and the sites of cellular respiration. Nucleus - membrane bound structure that contains the cell's hereditary information. Nucleolus - structure within the nucleus that helps in the synthesis of ribosomes. Nucleopore - tiny hole within the nuclear membrane that allows nucleic acids and proteins to move into and out of the nucleus. Ribosomes - consisting of RNA and proteins, ribosomes are responsible for protein assembly. Animal cells contain other cell structures that are not depicted in the illustration above. Some of these structures include the cytoskeleton, cilia and flagella and peroxisomes.

Plant cells are eukaryotic cells. As living organisms go, a eukaryote versus a prokaryote has cells with a more sophisticated internal anatomy. In a eukaryotic cell, there is an array of structures termed organelles. These are subcellular features, including a nucleus and various other components that make the cell functional. In comparison, bacterial cells are classified as prokaryotic. The prokaryotic cell lacks most of the internal structure, including the well-defined nucleus present in eukaryotic cells. Plant and animal cells share many characteristics, but at least two features distinguish plant cells. They are the cell wall and the chloroplast. Types of Plant Cells Plant cells are eukaryotic cells that are similar to animal cells. As a plant matures, its cells become specialized. There are a number of important specialized types of plant cells. Some examples of specialized plant cells include:

Parenchyma Cells Parenchyma cells are usually depicted as the typical plant cell because they are not very specialized. These cells synthesize and store organic products in the plant. Most of the plant's metabolism takes place in these cells.

Collenchyma Cells Collenchyma cells have a support function in plants, particularly in young plants. These cells help to support plants while not restraining growth due to their lack of secondary walls and the absence of a hardening agent in their primary walls.

Sclerenchyma Cells Sclerenchyma cells also have a support function in plants but unlike collenchyma cells, they have a hardening agent and are much more rigid.

Water Conducting Cells Water conducting cells of xylem also have a support function in plants but unlike collenchyma cells, they have a hardening agent and are much more rigid.

Sieve Tube Members Sieve tube members of phloem conduct organic nutrients such as sugar throughout the plant.