The article will compare plant and animal cells. These structures, despite the unity of origin, have significant differences.
General plan of cell structure
When considering a comparison of plant and animal cells, it is first necessary to recall the basic laws of their development and structure. They have common structural features, and consist of surface structures, cytoplasm and permanent structures - organelles. As a result of life activity, organic substances, which are called inclusions, are deposited in reserve. New cells arise as a result of maternal division. During this process, two or more young structures, which are an exact genetic copy of the original ones, can form from one source. Cells, uniform in structural features and functions, are combined into tissues. It is from these structures that organs and their systems are formed.
Comparison of plant and animal cells: table
On the table you can easily see all the similarities and differences in the cells of both categories.
| Signs for comparison | Plant cell | Animal cage |
| Cell Wall Features | Consists of cellulose polysaccharide. | It is a glycocalyx-thin layer consisting of compounds of proteins with carbohydrates and lipids. |
| The presence of a cell center | It is found only in the cells of lower algae plants. | Located in all cells. |
| The presence and location of the core | The nucleus is located in the parietal zone. | The nucleus is located in the center of the cell. |
| The presence of plastids | The presence of plastids of three types: chloro-, chromo- and leukoplasts. | Are absent. |
| Ability to photosynthesis | Occurs on the inner surface of chloroplasts. | Not capable. |
| Power way | Autotrophic. | Heterotrophic. |
| Vacuoli | They are large cavities filled with cell juice. | Digestive and contractile vacuoles. |
| Spare Carbohydrate | Starch. | Glycogen. |
The main differences
Comparison of plant and animal cells indicates a number of differences in the features of their structure, and hence the processes of life. So, despite the unity of the general plan, their surface apparatus differs in chemical composition. Cellulose, which is part of the cell wall of plants, gives them a constant shape. The glycocalyx of animals, on the contrary, is a thin elastic layer. However, the most important fundamental difference between these cells and the organisms that they form is the way they feed. Plants have green plastids chloroplasts in the cytoplasm. On their inner surface, a complex chemical reaction of the conversion of water and carbon dioxide into monosaccharides occurs. This process is possible only in the presence of sunlight and is called photosynthesis. A byproduct of the reaction is oxygen.
conclusions
So, we made a comparison of plant and animal cells, their similarities and differences. Common are the plan of structure, chemical processes and composition, division and genetic code. At the same time, plant and animal cells are fundamentally different in the way they feed the organisms they form.