Animal and Plant Cells
Animal and plant cells are some of the basic building blocks of life. Inside these cells, you’ll find tiny structures called organelles that each have their own special jobs, a bit like how our organs work in different ways to keep us healthy. By learning about what’s inside these cells and what each part does, we can better understand how life works on a microscopic level!
Animal Cell
Nucleus – Contains the cell’s DNA and controls the activity of the cell
Mitochondria – Respiration takes place here and provides the cell with energy
Cell Membrane – Controls what goes in and out of the cell
Ribosomes – The site of protein synthesis*
Cytoplasm –A jelly-like substance where all the chemical reactions in the cell take place
*Synthesis – to make something
Plant Cell
Plant cells have the same five organelles as animal cells, but they also come with three extra features that make them unique:
Chloroplasts – The site of photosynthesis. Contains chlorophyll which makes the plant green
Permanent Vacuole – A large, fluid-filled sac that stores cell sap (a mix of water, sugars, and salts) and helps the cell maintain its shape
Cell wall –The cell wall adds strength and structure to the cell and protection. The cell wall is made out of cellulose
You now should be able to tell the similarities and differences between an animal cell and a plant cell. Below is a direct comparison for you to see.
Another useful way to remember the difference is to put them in a table like below.
Important to Remember!
Plant cells have three extra parts compared to animal cells, giving a total of eight organelles you need to know about.
Quick Note: While some animal cells may have small vacuoles, they do not have a permanent vacuole like plant cells do. For GCSE, you don’t need to worry about this detail!
Specialised Cells
In multicellular organisms, cells can become specialised to carry out specific functions (e.g. nerve cells, root hair cells). This process is called differentiation.
Quick Recap Quiz
1. Name three organelles found in both animal and plant cells.
2. What is the function of mitochondria?
3. Which part of a plant cell contains chlorophyll?
4. What does the permanent vacuole contain?
5. Which structure gives plant cells strength and support?
Summary
- Animal and plant cells are eukaryotic and share key structures: nucleus, cytoplasm, cell membrane, mitochondria, and ribosomes.
- Plant cells have extra features: cell wall, chloroplasts, and a large permanent vacuole.
- The nucleus controls the cell and contains DNA.
- Mitochondria are the site of aerobic respiration.
- Chloroplasts carry out photosynthesis and contain chlorophyll.
- Cell specialisation allows cells to perform specific roles efficiently in multicellular organisms.