The article will compare plant and animal cells. These structures, despite the unity of origin, have significant differences.
General plan of cell structure
Considering the comparison of plant and animal cells, it is necessary first of all to recall the basic patterns of their development and structure. They have common structural features, and consist of surface structures, cytoplasm and permanent structures - organelles. As a result of vital activity, organic substances are deposited in them in reserve, which are called inclusions. New cells arise as a result of the division of maternal ones. During this process, two or more young structures can be formed from one initial structure, which are an exact genetic copy of the original ones. Cells that have the same structural features and functions are combined into tissues. It is from these structures that organs and their systems are formed.
Comparison of plant and animal cells: table
On the table you can easily see all the similarities and differences in the cells of both categories.
| Features for comparison | Plant cell | Animal cage |
| Features of the cell wall | Consists of cellulose polysaccharide. | It is a thin layer of glycocalyx, consisting of compounds of proteins with carbohydrates and lipids. |
| Presence of a cell center | Only found in the cells of lower algae plants. | Found in all cells. |
| Presence and location of the nucleus | The core is located in the near-wall zone. | The nucleus is located in the center of the cell. |
| Presence of plastids | The presence of three types of plastids: chloro-, chromo- and leucoplasts. | Not available. |
| The ability to photosynthesis | Occurs on the inner surface of chloroplasts. | Not capable. |
| Eating method | Autotrophic. | Heterotrophic. |
| Vacuoles | They are large cavities filled with cell sap. | Digestive and contractile vacuoles. |
| Reserve carbohydrate | Starch. | Glycogen. |
Main differences
Comparison of plant and animal cells indicates a number of differences in the features of their structure, and hence the processes of life. So, despite the unity of the general plan, their surface apparatus differs in chemical composition. Cellulose, which is part of the cell wall of plants, gives thempermanent form. Animal glycocalyx, on the contrary, is a thin elastic layer. However, the most important fundamental difference between these cells and the organisms that they form lies in the method of nutrition. Plants have green plastids called chloroplasts in their cytoplasm. A complex chemical reaction takes place on their inner surface, converting water and carbon dioxide into monosaccharides. This process is possible only in the presence of sunlight and is called photosynthesis. The by-product of the reaction is oxygen.
Conclusions
So, we compared the plant and animal cells, their similarities and differences. Common are the plan of the structure, chemical processes and composition, division and genetic code. At the same time, plant and animal cells fundamentally differ in the way they nourish the organisms they form.
