Plant cells differ from animal cells in several key ways:
- Shape and Size: Plant cells are generally larger and mostly rectangular or fixed in shape due to the presence of a rigid cell wall. Animal cells tend to be smaller and have a round or irregular shape.
- Cell Wall: Plant cells have a cell wall made of cellulose that provides structural support and protection. Animal cells only have a flexible plasma membrane and lack a cell wall.
- Chloroplasts: Plant cells contain chloroplasts with chlorophyll, which enable photosynthesis to produce their own food. Animal cells do not have chloroplasts and obtain energy by consuming other organisms.
- Vacuoles: Plant cells have a large central vacuole that can occupy up to 90% of the cell volume and is involved in storage and maintaining turgor pressure. Animal cells have smaller, often multiple vacuoles, which are less prominent.
- Lysosomes and Centrosomes: Animal cells contain lysosomes for waste digestion and centrosomes with centrioles important for cell division. Plant cells generally lack lysosomes and centrioles.
- Storage Compounds: Plant cells typically store energy in the form of starch, while animal cells store energy as glycogen.
- Golgi Apparatus: In plant cells, Golgi bodies (dictyosomes) are diffused throughout the cell, while in animal cells they are more concentrated near the nucleus.
In summary, plant cells are characterized by a rigid cell wall, chloroplasts for photosynthesis, a large central vacuole, and starch storage, while animal cells lack these features but have lysosomes, centrioles, and store energy as glycogen.
