1.2.3—Plant and animal cell comparison
- Syllabus
- 9700–2028–2029
- Objective
- 1.2.3
- Level
- AS
Plant and animal cells share a core plan but specialise differently
Plant and animal cells are both eukaryotic, so they share a core plan of membrane, cytoplasm, nucleus, mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi bodies, vesicles or lysosomes, ribosomes and microtubules. Their differences reflect how each cell gains support, materials and energy.
| Feature | Plant cells | Animal cells |
|---|---|---|
| Cell surface membrane and cytoplasm | Present; membrane controls exchange | Present; membrane controls exchange |
| Nucleus, mitochondria, ER, Golgi, vesicles/lysosomes, ribosomes and microtubules | Shared eukaryotic structures | Shared eukaryotic structures |
| Cellulose cell wall | Present; provides rigid support outside the membrane | Absent |
| Large permanent vacuole | Typical; stores cell sap and supports the cell | Not typical; animal vacuoles, when present, are small and temporary |
| Chloroplasts | Present in photosynthetic cells; absorb light for photosynthesis | Absent |
| Plasmodesmata | Connect neighbouring plant-cell cytoplasm | Absent |
| Centrioles and microvilli | Not typical of flowering-plant cells | Typical comparison features; centrioles organise division machinery and microvilli increase absorptive surface area |
The wall and vacuole help a plant cell keep its shape, chloroplasts capture light energy, and plasmodesmata permit transfer between neighbouring plant cells. Animal cells rely more on a flexible surface membrane and external support, while specialised animal cells may use centrioles or microvilli for particular jobs.
Use the table as a comparison of typical structures, not as a rule for every specialised cell: a leaf cell may contain chloroplasts, while a mature red blood cell lacks a nucleus. Do not infer cell type from one feature or from shape alone.
ConceptA-Level CAIE Biology AS