All living beings are composed of cells, which, taking into account their origin, can be divided into animal cells and plant cells.
First of all, you should know what the word cell means, which is the most basic unit of every living being, being considered the smallest part of a living being that can be considered alive. The size of the cells is highly variable, with the largest cell being the yolk of an egg.
The simplest living beings of all have a single cell, such as bacteria. Other more complete living beings have millions of cells, since a set of cells form tissues, a set of tissues form an organ, a set of organs form a system, and several systems form a complete living being.
The cells, whether it is an animal cell or a plant cell, have a certain function within a living being, there being a great coordination between all the cells of the living being of whatever type, so that the magic of life.
In today’s article, we are going to explain the difference between an animal cell and a plant cell, presenting their different organelles and the function of each one.
What do you need to differentiate the animal cell and the plant cell?
- Pay close attention to know the differences between the animal cell and the plant cell.
Instructions for differentiating animal cell and plant cell
- Where each of them is: This is the main difference between animal cells and plant cells, which is undoubtedly something that seems obvious but that there are many people who do not fall into it. An animal cell is found in the living beings of the animal kingdom, among which we have mammals, birds, insects… On the other hand, plant cells are found in the so-called plant kingdom, being the main component of trees, grass. What I mean is that animals are always going to have animal-type cells and plants are always going to have plant-type cells.
- Coating: Every cell of any living being must be perfectly protected to avoid external action and prevent problems in carrying out cellular functions. The plant cell is much more protected, since it is covered by a thick cell wall that covers the entire cell and completely isolates it from the outside. In contrast, in animal cells, there is only the plasma membrane to cover the cell, making it more vulnerable to the outside, but still necessary for proper cell function in animals. Plant cells also have a plasma membrane, which is covered by the cell wall.
- Photosynthesis: As you know, plants produce their own food through photosynthesis and animals, on the other hand, obtain it from the outside. To carry out photosynthesis, the existence of a cellular organelle called chloroplast is necessary, which is responsible for carrying out photosynthesis in plant cells so that they can obtain energy. Obviously, since photosynthesis does not occur in animals, chloroplasts are not present in them as they are not necessary at all.
- Vacuoles: Vacuoles are organelles responsible for storing fat used as fuel in cells. Both animal and plant cells possess vacuoles; however, they come in different ways. In animal cells, they are smaller and there are many distributed evenly throughout the cell, on the other hand, in plant cells it appears as a kind of giant puddle located in a specific part of the cell.
Tips to differentiate animal cell and plant cell
- Similarities between the two: Being both types of cells, they have many more similarities than differences.
- Mitochondria: Both have the mitochondria organelle, which is the organ in charge of providing energy to the cell and since both need energy, both have mitochondria.
- Basic organelles: Apart from the mitochondria, both animal cells and plant cells have the basic organelles of the cell in common. From the nucleus, to the endoplasmic reticulum, passing through the Golgi apparatus, the lysosomes, the cytoskeleton…
- Plasma membrane: Although the plant cell has a cell wall that protects it, it also has a plasma membrane just like the animal cell, having a similar function in both.
- Functions: They also have a differentiation of functions, with differentiation and synchronization of functions in both cell types.
- Trick to remember in the exam: Surely if you are here it is that you have the subject of biology and they are going to ask you about the difference between the two. The best way is to outline it as much as possible in order to remember.
