What is the Difference Between Plant and Animal Cells?

The main differences between plant and animal cells are:

1. Cell Wall: Plant cells have a cell wall in addition to a cell membrane, providing structure and support to the plant. Animal cells do not have a cell wall.
2. Chloroplasts: Plant cells contain organelles called chloroplasts, which are responsible for photosynthesis. Animal cells do not have chloroplasts.
3. Shape: Plant cells have a square or rectangular shape, while animal cells have an irregular or round shape.
4. Vacuoles: Plant cells have a large, singular vacuole for storage and maintaining the cell's shape. Animal cells have many smaller vacuoles.
5. Centrosome, Centrioles, and Lysosomes: Animal cells have a centrosome, which is a microtubule-organizing center, and lysosomes, but plant cells do not.

Despite these differences, both plant and animal cells share some common features, such as a cell membrane, cytosol, nucleus, and mitochondria.

Comparative Table: Plant vs Animal Cells

Here is a table comparing the differences between plant and animal cells:

Plant cells have a rigid cell wall made of cellulose, which provides structural support, while animal cells do not have a cell wall and rely on an extracellular matrix for support. Plant cells are mostly rectangular in shape, while animal cells have a round, irregular shape. Plant cells contain chloroplasts, which are responsible for photosynthesis, while animal cells do not have chloroplasts and produce energy through cellular respiration in mitochondria.