Eukaryotic Cell Structure and Organelles: Animal vs. Plant Cells

Eukaryotic Cell

A complex cell that has a nucleus and membrane-bound organelles; includes animal and plant cells.

Animal Cell

A eukaryotic cell that does not have a cell wall or chloroplasts; contains centrioles and smaller vacuoles.

Plant Cell

An eukaryotic cell that has a cell wall, chloroplasts, and a large central vacuole for water storage.

Mitochondria

Provides the energy a cell needs to move, divide, and produce secretory products; known as the "powerhouse" of the cell.

Golgi Apparatus (Golgi Body)

A stack of membrane-bound vesicles important for packaging and modifying macromolecules for transport elsewhere in the cell.

Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum (Rough ER)

Studded with ribosomes; involved in protein synthesis and transport of proteins throughout the cell.

Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum (Smooth ER)

Lacks ribosomes; makes lipids, hormones, and helps detoxify harmful substances.

Nucleus

The control center of the cell; contains DNA and directs all cellular activities such as growth, metabolism, and reproduction.

Nucleolus

Found inside the nucleus; produces ribosomes which move out to the rough ER to assist in protein synthesis.

Ribosomes

Packets of RNA and protein that serve as the site of protein synthesis in both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells.

Cytoskeleton

Maintains the cell's shape and helps with movement of the cell and its organelles; made of microtubules, actin filaments (microfilaments), and intermediate fibers.

Cytosol (Cytoplasm)

The fluid portion of the cytoplasm where organelles reside; contains proteins that control metabolism and chemical reactions such as glycolysis and signal transduction.

Lysosome

Contains hydrolytic enzymes for digestion of waste, old organelles, and bacteria; if lysosomes rupture, it can cause cell death (necrosis).

Vacuole (in Plant Cells)

Large membrane-bound sac that stores water and nutrients and helps maintain turgor pressure against the cell wall.

Cell Wall

A rigid layer made of polysaccharides (cellulose) that provides structure, support, and protection to plant cells.

Chloroplast

Contains chlorophyll, giving plants their green color; uses sunlight to convert water and carbon dioxide into sugars through photosynthesis.

Chlorophyll

The green pigment inside chloroplasts responsible for absorbing sunlight and powering photosynthesis.

DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid)

The molecule that stores genetic information; found in the nucleus of eukaryotic cells; DNA is identical in every cell of the same organism (except gametes or mutations).

Organelles (Comparison)

Plant cells have more types of organelles than animal cells because they contain additional structures like the cell wall and chloroplasts.