The structure of plant and animal cells is somewhat different. In this article, we will consider the main features of these structural and functional units of the body. The similarities and differences between plant and animal cells will be analyzed.
How the smallest unit of an organism works
The structure of plant and animal cells provides for the presence of three main components: membranes with supramembranous formations, cytoplasm and nucleus.
The membrane separates the contents of the cell from the external environment. It consists of two layers: phospholipid and protein. Above it are additional shells (wall or glycocalyx).
The cytoplasm consists of hyaloplasm (liquid internal environment), inclusions (temporary formations in the form of drops or crystals of reserve nutrients) and organelles (permanent structures that perform certain functions). Let's talk about the latter in more detail.
What are organelles
The structure of plant and animal cells provides for the presence of three groupsorganelles: non-membrane, single-membrane and double-membrane.
Non-membrane and single-membrane organelles are common to both plant and animal cells.
The first group includes structures such as the cell center, ribosomes, microtubules and microfilaments. All of them perform their specific functions. Thus, the cell center takes part in the formation of the division spindle. Ribosomes are responsible for the process of translation - the formation of a polypeptide chain from individual amino acids. Microtubules and microfilaments form the cytoskeleton, which performs transport and mechanical functions.
Another similarity between plant and animal cells is that both have single-membrane organelles. These are lysosomes, endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi complex. The endoplasmic reticulum is responsible for the synthesis of fats and carbohydrates. The Golgi complex is involved in the sorting and modification of proteins. Lysosomes contain enzymes that are essential for cellular digestion.
The structure of plant and animal cells is different, but both of these cells have one more common group of two-membrane organelles - this is mitochondria. She is responsible for breathing, which generates energy.
What is the difference between the structure of plant and animal cells
First of all, these structures differ in that plants have a dense wall over the membrane, animals do not have it. The cell wall of plants is made up of cellulose. In animals, instead of it, on top of the plasmamembrane is glycocalyx.
Also, one of the main differences between plant and animal cells is a reserve substance. In plants, inclusions are mainly composed of starch, while in animals they are made up of glycogen.
The next difference between these two cell types is in organelles. Let's consider this item in more detail.
Organoids unique to plants
In addition to those organelles that were mentioned above, representatives of the flora also have specific ones that animals do not have.
Firstly, these are plastids. They are of three types: leukoplasts, chromoplasts and chloroplasts. In the first, nutrients are stored, mainly starch. The latter contain various pigments that give plants a certain color. For example, a large number of chromoplasts are contained in petal cells. Chloroplasts are responsible for photosynthesis - the process of obtaining organic substances from inorganic substances using solar energy.
Another organoid, characteristic only for plant cells, is the vacuole. It contains cell sap. The vacuole is involved in the process of osmosis.
