Content code
s1240
Slug (identifier)
animal-and-plant-cells
Parent content
Characteristics of Living Things
Grades
Secondary I
Secondary II
Topic
Science and Technology
Tags
cellule végétale
cellule animale
chlorophylle
cytoplasme
mitochondrie
vacuole
chloroplaste
photosynthèse
membrane cellulaire
noyau
osmose
organites des cellules
Content
Contenu
Corps

The cell is the basic unit of all living organisms. In this concept sheet, we distinguish two types of cells: animal cells and plant cells.

These types of cells have many similarities. However, due to their different functions, they also have some differences in their composition. Although animal and plant cells have common components and organelles, some are specific to one type of cell.

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Organelles are the components of the cell that are immersed in cytoplasm.

Links
Type
Anchor
Title
Animal Cell
Anchor
animal-cell
Type
Anchor
Title
Plant Cell
Anchor
plant-cell
Type
Anchor
Title
Comparative Table of Animal and Plant Cell Components
Anchor
comparative-table
Title (level 2)
Animal Cell
Title slug (identifier)
animal-cell
Contenu
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There are several types of animal cells. These cells are given different names depending on the function they perform in the body. Here are some examples of animal cells.

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Each of these cells has its own characteristics in terms of structure and function.

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Some cells are mobile and have a flagellum. This is the case with the sperm which must travel to the ovum to fertilize it.

Other cells can contract a lot. This is the case with muscle cells.

Title (level 3)
Animal Cell Components
Title slug (identifier)
animal-cell-components
Image
Animal cell components (nucleus, cytoplasm, cellular membrane, vacuole, and mitochondria)
Title
Animal cell
Corps

Component

Description and role of the component

Nucleus

  • The nucleus communicates with the rest of the cell through the nuclear membrane which allows exchanges with the cytoplasm.

  • It directs and controls all the activities occurring in the cell.

  • It runs cell division.

  • It contains chromosomes, which carry genes. Chromosomes are made of DNA.

Nuclear membrane

  • The nuclear membrane surrounds the nucleus.

  • It is porous and semi-permeable, which means it selects the substances that can enter or leave the cell. It thus allows exchanges between the nucleus and the cytoplasm.

Cytoplasm

  • Cytoplasm is a gelatinous substance which contains the nucleus and other organelles (vacuoles and mitochondria).

  • It plays a role in exchanges occurring within the cells. Substances can travel between the cytoplasm and the nucleus, and between the cytoplasm and the outside of the cell.

Vacuole

  • The vacuole is a sac located in the cytoplasm used to store substances such as water, nutrients, or toxic waste.

  • Several small vacuoles are present in the animal cell.

Mitochondria

  • Cellular respiration takes place in the mitochondria. They convert the energy from the sugars in food (glucose) into energy that can be used by the cell.

Cell membrane

  • The cell membrane surrounds the cytoplasm.

  • It is porous and semi-permeable, so it selects the substances that can enter or leave the cell. It thus allows exchanges between the cell and the environment in which it is located.
Title (level 2)
Plant Cell
Title slug (identifier)
plant-cell
Contenu
Corps

The plant cell is the basis of all plant organisms. It differs from the animal cell by 3 characteristics.

  1. It has a cellulose wall (cell wall), a rigid outer membrane made of cellulose.

  2. It has a single large vacuole used to store substances and allow cell growth by storing water in it through osmosis.

  3. It has chloroplasts which contain chlorophyll, a pigment that gives plants their green colour and helps in the photosynthesis process.

Title (level 3)
Plant Cell Components
Title slug (identifier)
plant-cell-components
Image
Plant cell components (nucleus, cytoplasm, cell membrane, vacuole, mitochondria, chloroplast, and cell wall)
Title
Plant cell
Corps

Components

Description and role of component

Nucleus

  • The nucleus communicates with the rest of the cell through the nuclear membrane that allows exchanges with the cytoplasm.

  • It directs and controls all the activities taking place in the cell.

  • It runs cell division.

  • It contains chromosomes, which carry genes. Chromosomes are made out of DNA.

Nuclear membrane

  • The nuclear membrane surrounds the nucleus.

  • It is porous and semi-permeable, which means it selects the substances that can enter or leave the cell. It thus allows exchanges between the nucleus and the cytoplasm.

Cytoplasm

  • The cytoplasm is a gelatinous substance which contains the nucleus and other organelles (vacuole, chloroplasts, and mitochondria).

  • It plays a role in exchanges occurring within the cells. Substances can travel between the cytoplasm and the nucleus, and between the cytoplasm and the outside of the cell.

Vacuole

  • The vacuole is a sac located in the cytoplasm used to store substances.

  • It allows the growth of the plant cell by storing water in it through osmosis.

  • The plant cell contains only one large vacuole.

Mitochondria

  • Cellular respiration takes place in the mitochondria. They convert the energy derived from glucose into energy that can be used by the cell.

Chloroplast

  • Chloroplasts are small green bubbles located in the cytoplasm. Their green colour is due to the pigments they contain: chlorophyll.

  • They absorb sunlight to conduct photosynthesis.

Cell membrane

  • The cell membrane surrounds the cytoplasm.

  • It is porous and semi-permeable, so it selects the substances that can enter or leave the cell. It thus allows exchanges between the cell and the environment in which it is located.

Cell wall

  • The cellulose wall (cell wall) is made up of cellulose, which makes it rigid.

  • It acts as a skeleton for the plant cell, preventing it from deforming and providing it with a more defined shape.

  • It is elastic, which allows cell growth and cell division.
Title (level 2)
Comparative Table of Animal and Plant Cell Components
Title slug (identifier)
comparative-table
Contenu
Corps

Component

Animal cell

Plant cell

Nucleus

X

X

Nuclear membrane

X

X

Cytoplasm

X

X

Vacuole

X
(several small vacuoles)

X
(one large vacuole)

Mitochondria

X

X

Chloroplast

 

X

Cell membrane

X

X

Cell wall

 

X
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To validate your understanding of the cell in an interactive way, consult the following MiniRecup:

MiniRécup Sciences
Content
Image
Nucleolus, endoplasmic reticulum, and ribosomes in animal and plant cells
Title
Nucleolus, endoplasmic reticulum, and ribosomes
Title (level 3)
Nucleolus
Title slug (identifier)
le-nucleole
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The nucleolus is located at the centre of the nucleus of animal and plant cells. This is where the transcription of DNA into RNA takes place during cell division.

Title (level 3)
Endoplasmic Reticulum
Title slug (identifier)
le-reticulum-endoplasmique
Corps

The endoplasmic reticulum is a labyrinth of sacs and tubes connected to the nuclear membrane. It is found in both animal and plant cells. It is responsible for several metabolic functions such as lipid synthesis, detoxification, and storage of certain substances. Two types of reticulum can be distinguished: the rough endoplasmic reticulum, which carries ribosomes on its membrane, and the smooth endoplasmic reticulum, which has none.

Title (level 3)
Ribosomes
Title slug (identifier)
les-ribosomes
Corps

Ribosomes are the organelles that produce proteins. They either lie on the rough endoplasmic reticulum or move freely in the cytoplasm. They are found in both animal and plant cells.

Title
See Also
Links
Type
Internal
Title
Characteristics of Living Things
Internal link
/en/students/vl/sciences/characteristics-of-living-things-s1237
Title (level 2)
Exercise
Title slug (identifier)
exercise
Contenu
Contenu
Exercice
Animal and Plant Cells - Secondary 1-2
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