Animal cell vs. Plant cell

Plasma membrane

A phospholipid bilayer with embedded proteins that separates the internal contents of the cell from its surrounding environment.

Cell wall

Maintains cell shape.

Ribosomes

Responsible for protein synthesis.

Cytoplasm

The entire region between the plasma membrane and the nuclear envelope, comprised of organelles suspended in cytosol.

Cytosol

The fluid inside a cell, excluding organelles.

Flagella

A long, hair-like structure extending from the plasma membrane that moves the cell.

Cytoskeleton

A protein fiber network that maintains the cell's shape and allows movement within the cell.

Nucleus

The cell organelle that houses the cell’s DNA and directs ribosome and protein synthesis.

Golgi apparatus

Eukaryotic organelle that sorts, tags, and packages lipids and proteins for distribution.

Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER)

Interconnected membranous structures within eukaryotic cells that modify proteins and synthesize lipids.

Mitochondria

Cellular organelles responsible for carrying out cellular respiration and producing ATP.

Chloroplast

Plant cell organelle that carries out photosynthesis.

Lysosome

Organelle in an animal cell that functions as the cell’s digestive component.

Endomembrane system

System involved in the synthesis of proteins, transport, metabolism of lipids, and detoxification of poisons.

Vesicles

Transport substances in and out of the cell and between organelles.

(Some are formed by the Golgi apparatus or the endoplasmic reticulum)

Vacuole

A membrane-bound sac used for cellular storage and transport. (somewhat larger than a vesicle)