00 – Cell

Plant Cell Animal Cell

Cell Wall Cell wall made of cellulose is present in almost all cells. Cell wall is absent.
Plastids Plastids like leucoplasts, chloroplast and chromoplasts are No plastids found.
present.
Chloroplasts Plants cells have chloroplasts to prepare their own food. Chloroplasts completely absent.
Vacuoles Cell sap containing vacuoles are present. Vacuoles are usually absent or one or more small
vacuoles are seen.
Lysosomes Lysosomes not evident. Lysosomes occur in cytoplasm.
Nucleus Due to the presence of the vacoule at the centre of the cell, Nucleus is usually located centrally.
nucleus may be located at the edge of the cell.
Golgi bodies Plant cells have many simpler units of golgi complex, called Animal cells have a single highly elaborate golgi
dictyosomes. complex.
Endoplasmic reticulum Present Present
Ribosomes Present Present
Mitochondria Present Present
Centrioles Present only in lower plant forms. Present
Microtubules/ Present Present
microfilaments
Flagella May be found in some cells. May be found in some cells.
Cilia Very rare Present
Nutrition Can prepare own food through photosynthesis. Cannot make their own food. They depend directly
or indirectly on plants for their food.
Locomotion Most plants do not exhibit movement. Most animals exhibit locomotion
Growth and Keep growing throughout their life and are localized in the Growth stops after maturation, but body cells are
development apical meristem. replaced periodically.
Cell shape and Rigid, fixes rectangular shape. Lack rigidity, are round and irregular shape.
structure
Starch grains Present Are not present.
Organelle (Both Found in Animal and Plant Cells)
Organelle Location
Cell Membrane forms outer boundary of cell;
surrounds cytoplasm; separates the
cell from its environment
Description
made up of a double layer of fats
(called phospholipids) with some
proteins scattered throughout; the
proteins form tiny openings or
passageways in the membrane called
pores
Semi-permeable barrier
Function Other
1. controls what moves into and It is flexible so it can change shape
out of the cell (only certain under pressure; by allowing things to
materials can get in or out; move in and out, it helps maintain
 Ex: food, oxygen, and homeostasis
materials go in and
wastes and cell products
move out)
2. Provides protection and support
for the cell

Nucleus found within the cytoplasm; separated
from the cytoplasm by the nuclear
membrane
largest organelle; made up of 3 parts: Controls all of the cells activities and Chromosomes contain genes that
1. nuclear membrane = thin which proteins are made control the characteristics of an
layer that surrounds the organism and pass on the traits
nucleus; contains pores to let
materials in and out
2. chromosomes = thin
threadlike structures made up
of DNA (controls cell activities
and provides the information
or “recipe” the ribosomes
need to make proteins)
3. nucleolus = makes ribosomes
(which make proteins)

Cytoplasm found inside the cell membrane but clear, thick, jellylike material; contains contains all the organelles outside of the cytoplasm is constantly moving or
outside the nucleus a large amount of water (about 70%) the nucleus “streaming” through the cell
and chemicals; may sometimes
appear to be grainy (this grainy
appearance comes from the
organelles floating in it)

Cytoskeleton found throughout the cytoplasm a web of long tubes and fibers made supports the cell and helps the cell
of protein keep its shape; also helps certain cells
move

Endoplasmic Reticulum [ER]
extends from the nuclear membrane
to the cell membrane; found winding
throughout the
cytoplasm; rough ER is usually found
near the nucleus
folded, tubelike membrane; Rough ER moves materials (especially proteins)
has ribsomes on it; Smooth ER lacks around the cell; acts like a conveyor
ribosomes belt or passageway;
is the cell’s transportation system
Ribosomes most are attached to the ER (making
rough ER); some float freely in
cytoplasm
small grainlike bodies (ribosomes are
NOT covered in a membrane
to make protein; gets instructions for
protein production from the DNA in
nucleus; the DNA gives the ribosomes
the codes for which amino acids to
put together to make a specific kind
of protein
ribosomes drop proteins directly into
the ER for transport; free-floating
ones make proteins for
that particular spot in the cell

Golgi Bodies found in cytoplasm stacks of flat, membrane-covered sort and modify proteins from the ER also called “Golgi apparatus” or “Golgi
sacs; looks a lot like smooth ER to do different jobs; these are then complex”
packaged in sacs (called vesicles) that
break off the end of the stack; vesicles
go to either the cell membrane for
export outside the cell (to be secreted
or “given off” by the cell) or to other
places within the cell

Mitochondria scattered throughout cytoplasm rod-shaped structures that have a
folded inner membrane within an
outer membrane
release energy from the sugar
(glucose) in food by combining it with
oxygen (cell respiration); it stores this
energy in special energy-rich
molecules (called ATP) that the cell
uses to do its work
called the “powerhouse” of the cell;
cells that are more active will have
more mitochondria (ex.
muscle cells)

Centrosomes It is located near the nucleus of the
cell and is known as the 'microtubule
organizing center' of the cell.
Centrosomes are composed of two
centrioles, they separate during cell
division and they help in the
formation of mitotic spindle.
Microtubules (key components of
cytoskeleton) are made in the
centrosome.
Centrosomes are the cytoskeleton
organizers.
During mitosis the centrosome aids in
dividing of the cell and moving of the
chromosome to the opposite sides of
the cell.

Lysosomes found in cytoplasm small, round structures filled with Break down large food (sugar) sometime act like a “self-destruct”
digestive chemicals called enzymes molecules into small ones so they can device for the cell
enter the mitochondria
Digest waste products, worn out
organelles, and dead or injured cells
to make room for new cells (the cell’s
materials can be reused by other cells)
Protect the cell from foreign invaders

Vacuole found in cytoplasm Large, round, fluid-filled sac; plants storage area for food, water, wastes, when plant vacuoles are completely
have one very large vacuole; animals and other materials filled of water, the cells are plump and
have a few small the plant is firm; if it
ones loses water, the plants wilt

Peroxisomes Animals: Liver and kidney cells Peroxisomes are single membrane
bound organelle that contain
oxidative enzymes that are digestive
in function.
They help in digesting long chains of
fatty acids and amino acids and help
in synthesis of cholesterol.
They get rid of the toxic peroxides
from the cell.
Organelle (Animal Cell exclusive)
Organelle
Cilia and Flagella
Organelle (Plant cell exclusive)
Cell wall
Location Description Function Other
hair-like organelles which extend from Locomotion
the surface of many animal cells. the
structure is identical in both, except
that flagella are longer and whiplike
and cilia are shorter. There are usually
only a few flagella on a cell, while cilia
may cover the entire surface of a cell
Outside the cell membrane rigid organelle composed of cellulose Gives the plant cell it's box-like shape
and lying just outside the cell Protects the cell.
membrane The cell wall contains pores which
allow materials to pass to and from
the cell membrane.

Plastids Plastids are found in the cytoplasm Plastids are double membrane bound It is in plastids that plants make and There are two main types:
organelles. store food. 1. Leucoplasts - colorless
organelles which store starch
or other plant nutrients.

2. Chromoplasts - contain
different colored pigments.

The most important type of

chromoplast is the
Chloroplast, which contains
the green pigment
chlorophyll. This is important
in the process of
photosynthesis.
Central Vacuole The central vacuole is a large fluid-
filled vacuole found in plants.