Difference Between Plant and Animal Cells
🌿 Plant Cells vs. Animal Cells – What’s the Difference?
Though both plant and animal cells are eukaryotic, they have some major structural differences due to their different functions.
📚 Key Differences Between Plant and Animal Cells
| Feature | Plant Cell 🌱 | Animal Cell 🐾 |
|---|
| Cell Wall | Present (made of cellulose) | Absent |
| Shape | Fixed, rectangular or square-shaped | Round or irregular |
| Chloroplasts | Present (for photosynthesis) | Absent |
| Vacuole | Large, central vacuole | Small or absent |
| Centrosome/Centrioles | Absent | Present (important for cell division) |
| Lysosomes | Rare | Common |
| Plastids | Present (e.g., chloroplasts, chromoplasts) | Absent |
🧠 Why These Differences Exist?
- 🌱 Plants need rigid support → cell wall is present.
- 🌞 Plants make their own food → need chloroplasts.
- 🐾 Animals move actively and divide frequently → need centrioles and lysosomes.
📝 Quick Summary
| Plant Cell | Animal Cell |
|---|
| Cell wall present | No cell wall |
| Chloroplasts for photosynthesis | No chloroplasts |
| Large central vacuole | Small vacuole |
| Fixed shape | Irregular shape |
| No centrioles | Centrioles present |
🧠 Think & Explore
- 👉 Why do plant cells need a large vacuole?
- 👉 What would happen if animal cells had a rigid cell wall?
Nucleus, DNA and Chromosomes
🧠 What is the Nucleus?
- The nucleus is the control center of the cell.
- It regulates all cellular activities like growth, metabolism, and reproduction.
- Surrounded by a double membrane called the nuclear envelope.
📦 Parts of the Nucleus
- Nucleoplasm – Jelly-like substance inside the nucleus
- Nucleolus – Produces ribosomes
- Chromatin – Thread-like material that condenses into chromosomes during cell division
🧬 DNA and Chromosomes
- DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid) contains genetic instructions.
- Chromosomes are condensed forms of chromatin visible during cell division.
- Humans have 46 chromosomes (23 pairs).
🔗 Role of Nucleus
- Controls all functions of the cell
- Passes hereditary information from one generation to another
🧠 Think & Explore
- 👉 Why do red blood cells lack a nucleus?
- 👉 Can an organism survive without chromosomes?
Fun Facts and Activities
💡 Interesting Facts About Cells
- 🧠 The brain cells (neurons) are the longest cells in the human body.
- 🩸 Red blood cells live for around 120 days and do not have a nucleus.
- 🦠 Mycoplasma is the smallest known cell.
🔬 Simple Activities to Try
- Onion Peel Activity: Observe an onion peel under a microscope. Add a drop of iodine to see the cell wall and nucleus clearly.
- Cheek Cell Activity: Use a toothpick to gently scrape the inner cheek, place the sample on a slide with methylene blue, and observe under microscope.
- Draw & Label: Make neat diagrams of plant and animal cells and label all organelles.
🧠 Challenge Yourself
- 👉 Can you spot the nucleus in your cheek cell?
- 👉 Which organelle would be most active in your muscle cells after a workout?
