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A2.2.8—Differences in eukaryotic cells

Plant, fungal, and animal cells share eukaryotic organization but differ in walls, plastids, vacuoles, storage products, and structures associated with movement or division.

Syllabus
First assessment 2025
Objective
A2.2.8
Level
SL

Exam analysis

Chance of appearing4%of analysed past papers
Latest appearanceNovember 2025
Most common paperPaper2
Typical marks1–2

Common command terms

  • Identify
  • State
  • Explain
  • Distinguish

Scoring notes

Common mistake
Claiming that every plant cell contains chloroplasts.

Recent exam appearances

November 2025Paper2 ["SL"] · TZ13(c)[ 1 ]A2.2.8—Differences in eukaryotic cells
May 2024Paper3 ["SL"] · TZ11(b)[ 2 ]A2.2.8—Differences in eukaryotic cells
November 2013Paper1 ["SL"] · TZ04[ 1 ]A2.2.8—Differences in eukaryotic cells
November 2012Paper2 ["SL"] · TZ02(b)[ 2 ]A2.2.8—Differences in eukaryotic cells
May 2012Paper2 ["SL"] · TZ12(a)[ 2 ]A2.2.8—Differences in eukaryotic cells
Practice this objective

Coverage 2010–2025 · Updated 15 Jul 2026

Plant, Animal and Fungal Cells Share a Core but Differ

Animal, fungal and plant cells share the eukaryotic core but differ in cell walls, vacuoles, plastids and motile structures.

Feature Plant Fungus Animal
Cell wall Cellulose Chitin Absent
Vacuoles Usually one large permanent sap vacuole Vacuoles present, variable size and roles Smaller temporary vesicles/vacuoles
Chloroplasts / plastids Present in photosynthetic tissues; other plastids may occur Absent Absent
Centrioles, cilia, flagella Variable; absent from many typical plant cells Variable Centrioles common; cilia or flagella in some cells

A cellulose wall, chloroplasts and a large sap vacuole together support a plant-cell identification more strongly than any single feature.

Specialized cells may lack a typical feature; for example, a plant root cell normally lacks chloroplasts. Use combinations and context.

Differences in eukaryotic cells

Assessment in practice

1–2 marks
How it is assessed

This objective is assessed through structured response, commonly using Identify / State / Explain.

Command terms

Identify / State / Explain / Distinguish

What earns marks

Build the answer around this relationship: Plant cell walls contain cellulose and support a regular cell outline.

Watch for

Claiming that every plant cell contains chloroplasts.

Representative question

Question 1

[Maximum number: 3]

Distinguish between structures in animal and plant cells.

SL Retrieval: Read, Identify, Draw

The SL core is a practical chain. First, understand cells as structural and functional units. Then use microscopes correctly: prepare, stain, calibrate, measure, and choose a method based on resolution and the detail needed. Finally, identify cell types from visible evidence and draw only what the micrograph shows. This is how the topic turns from definitions into exam performance.

  • Cell theory: cells are structural and functional units.
  • Microscopy: resolution, calibration, magnification, actual size, and scale bars.
  • Cell identity: universal parts, prokaryote/eukaryote differences, and plant/animal/fungal evidence.
  • Micrograph work: justify from visible structures, scale, and context.
  • Drawing: clear lines, no shading, visible labels only, scale/magnification included.

Concept essentials

  • Plant cell walls contain cellulose and support a regular cell outline.
  • Photosynthetic plant cells contain chloroplasts.
  • Fungal cells have walls but lack chloroplasts.
  • Animal cells lack a cell wall and may contain centrioles or motile appendages.