Plant and animal cell comparison

Plant and animal cells share several structures that carry out the same basic activities. A typical plant cell also has structures that support it and enable photosynthesis.

Structures shared by plant and animal cells

• The cell membrane controls the movement of substances into and out of the cell.
• The cytoplasm is where many chemical reactions occur.
• The nucleus contains genetic material and controls the activities of the cell.
• Ribosomes make proteins.
• Mitochondria are the sites of aerobic respiration, which releases energy for the cell.

Structures of a typical plant cell

A typical plant cell has three additional structures:

• The cell wall lies outside the cell membrane. It supports the cell and helps maintain its shape.
• Chloroplasts absorb light for photosynthesis.
• A large vacuole contains cell sap and helps keep the cell firm.

Animal cells do not have a cell wall or chloroplasts. Not every plant cell contains chloroplasts, but in diagrams and images, the combination of a cell wall, chloroplasts and a large vacuole identifies a typical plant cell. The shared structures can be identified in both plant and animal cells.