plant and animal cell
Comparing Plant and Animal Cells
Overview
The following notes detail the structures and functions of plant and animal cells, emphasizing the differences and similarities between the two.
Plant Cells
Shape: Most plant cells are
Squarish or rectangular in shape.
Key Organelles:
Amyloplast:
Definition: An organelle in some plant cells that stores starch.
Location: Found in starchy plants such as tubers and fruits.
Cell Membrane:
Definition: Thin layer of protein and fat that surrounds the cell but is inside the cell wall.
Function: Semipermeable, allowing some substances to pass into the cell while blocking others.
Cell Wall:
Definition: Thick, rigid membrane surrounding a plant cell, made of cellulose fibers.
Function: Provides support and structure; bonds with other cell walls to form the overall structure of the plant.
Chloroplast:
Definition: Elongated or disc-shaped organelle containing chlorophyll.
Function: Site of photosynthesis, converting light energy from sunlight into chemical energy (food).
Chlorophyll:
Definition: A molecule that uses light energy to convert water and carbon dioxide gas into glucose and oxygen.
Characteristic: Chlorophyll appears green.
Cytoplasm:
Definition: Jelly-like material outside the cell nucleus where organelles are located.
Golgi Body (Golgi apparatus/ Golgi complex):
Definition: A flattened, layered, sac-like organelle near the nucleus, resembling a stack of pancakes.
Function: Modifies, processes, and packages proteins, lipids, and carbohydrates into membrane-bound vesicles for export from the cell.
Lysosome:
Definition: Vesicles containing digestive enzymes.
Function: Site of digestion of nutrients within the cell.
Mitochondrion:
Definition: Rod or spherical shaped organelles with a double membrane, the inner membrane is infolded to form cristae.
Function: Converts energy stored in glucose into ATP (adenosine triphosphate), a high-energy molecule for cellular use.
Nuclear Membrane:
Definition: Membrane surrounding the nucleus.
Nucleolus:
Definition: Organelle within the nucleus.
Function: Produces ribosomal RNA, which is exported into the cytoplasm to form ribosomes.
Nucleus:
Definition: Spherical body surrounded by the nuclear membrane; contains DNA in chromosomes.
Function: Controls many cell functions, including protein synthesis.
Ribosome:
Definition: Small organelles made of RNA.
Function: Sites of protein synthesis.
Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum (Rough ER):
Definition: System of interconnected, membranous, infolded sacs in the cytoplasm.
Characteristic: Covered with ribosomes, giving a rough appearance.
Function: Transports materials and produces proteins sent to the Golgi body or inserted into the cell membrane.
Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum (Smooth ER):
Definition: System of interconnected, membranous, infolded tubes in the cytoplasm.
Function: Produces lipids (fats) and membrane proteins; buds off from rough ER to transport newly-made proteins and lipids to the Golgi body.
Vacuole:
Definition: Large, membrane-bound space filled with fluid, primarily water, taking up much of the cell volume.
Function: Helps maintain water balance and the shape of the cell.
Vesicle:
Definition: Small, membrane-bound space that transports materials in/out of or within the cell.
Example: Proteins produced in rough ER are transported by vesicles to the Golgi body for processing.
Animal Cells
Shape: Most animal cells are roundish or irregular in shape.
Key Organelles:
Cell Membrane:
Definition: Thin layer of protein and fat that surrounds the cell.
Function: Semipermeable allowing selective passage of substances.
Centriole:
Definition: Composed of microtubules, arranged in pairs perpendicular to each other.
Function: Forms spindle fibers during cell division, aiding in separating chromosomes during mitosis.
Cytoplasm:
Definition: Jelly-like material outside the cell nucleus where organelles are located.
Golgi Body:
Definition: Flattened, layered, sac-like organelle located near the nucleus resembling a stack of pancakes.
Function: Modifies, processes, and packages proteins and lipids for export from the cell.
Lysosome:
Definition: Vesicles containing digestive enzymes.
Function: Site of digestion of cell nutrients.
Mitochondrion:
Definition: Spherical to rod-shaped organelles with a double membrane; inner membrane forms cristae.
Function: Converts energy stored in glucose into ATP for cellular energy use.
Nuclear Membrane:
Definition: Membrane surrounding the nucleus.
Nucleolus:
Definition: Organelle within the nucleus.
Function: Production of ribosomal RNA, forming ribosomes in the cytoplasm.
Nucleus:
Definition: Spherical body surrounded by the nuclear membrane; contains primarily DNA in chromosomes.
Function: Controls cell functions including protein synthesis.
Ribosome:
Definition: Small organelles composed of RNA.
Function: Sites of protein synthesis.
Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum (Rough ER):
Definition: System of interconnected, membranous, infolded sacs in the cytoplasm.
Characteristic: Covered with ribosomes.
Function: Transports materials and produces proteins for export or cell membrane incorporation.
Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum (Smooth ER):
Definition: System of interconnected tubes in the cytoplasm.
Function: Produces lipids and membrane proteins, transporting them to the Golgi body.
Vacuole:
Definition: Fluid-filled, membrane-surrounded cavities inside a cell.
Function: Fills with food during digestion and collects waste material.
Characteristic: Smaller than plant cell vacuoles.
Vesicle:
Definition: Small, membrane-bound space that transports material in/out or within the cell.
Application: Some vesicles serve as storage vessels, transporting proteins from rough ER to Golgi body for processing.
Comparative Analysis: Plant vs. Animal Cells
Venn Diagram Usage: Fill in a Venn diagram to compare plant cells to animal cells, including unique and shared organelles.Items to compare: Cell membrane, cell wall, chloroplast, cytoplasm, shape, nucleus, ribosome, vacuole, centriole, mitochondria.
Plant Cell Unique Features: Cell wall, chloroplast, large central vacuole.
Animal Cell Unique Features: Centrioles, smaller vacuoles.
Common Features: Mitochondria, Golgi body, nucleus, ribosome, endoplasmic reticulum.
Visual Aids
Cross-sections of animal and plant cells are useful for visualizing differences in structure and organelles.
Annotated diagrams can assist in identifying the specific locations and appearances of cell organelles in both plant and animal cells.
Comparing Plant and Animal Cells
Overview
The following notes detail the structures and functions of plant and animal cells, emphasizing the differences and similarities between the two.
Plant Cells
Shape: Most plant cells are
Squarish or rectangular in shape.
Key Organelles:
Amyloplast:
Definition: An organelle in some plant cells that stores starch.
Location: Found in starchy plants such as tubers and fruits.
Cell Membrane:
Definition: Thin layer of protein and fat that surrounds the cell but is inside the cell wall.
Function: Semipermeable, allowing some substances to pass into the cell while blocking others.
Cell Wall:
Definition: Thick, rigid membrane surrounding a plant cell, made of cellulose fibers.
Function: Provides support and structure; bonds with other cell walls to form the overall structure of the plant.
Chloroplast:
Definition: Elongated or disc-shaped organelle containing chlorophyll.
Function: Site of photosynthesis, converting light energy from sunlight into chemical energy (food).
Chlorophyll:
Definition: A molecule that uses light energy to convert water and carbon dioxide gas into glucose and oxygen.
Characteristic: Chlorophyll appears green.
Cytoplasm:
Definition: Jelly-like material outside the cell nucleus where organelles are located.
Golgi Body (Golgi apparatus/ Golgi complex):
Definition: A flattened, layered, sac-like organelle near the nucleus, resembling a stack of pancakes.
Function: Modifies, processes, and packages proteins, lipids, and carbohydrates into membrane-bound vesicles for export from the cell.
Lysosome:
Definition: Vesicles containing digestive enzymes.
Function: Site of digestion of nutrients within the cell.
Mitochondrion:
Definition: Rod or spherical shaped organelles with a double membrane, the inner membrane is infolded to form cristae.
Function: Converts energy stored in glucose into ATP (adenosine triphosphate), a high-energy molecule for cellular use.
Nuclear Membrane:
Definition: Membrane surrounding the nucleus.
Nucleolus:
Definition: Organelle within the nucleus.
Function: Produces ribosomal RNA, which is exported into the cytoplasm to form ribosomes.
Nucleus:
Definition: Spherical body surrounded by the nuclear membrane; contains DNA in chromosomes.
Function: Controls many cell functions, including protein synthesis.
Ribosome:
Definition: Small organelles made of RNA.
Function: Sites of protein synthesis.
Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum (Rough ER):
Definition: System of interconnected, membranous, infolded sacs in the cytoplasm.
Characteristic: Covered with ribosomes, giving a rough appearance.
Function: Transports materials and produces proteins sent to the Golgi body or inserted into the cell membrane.
Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum (Smooth ER):
Definition: System of interconnected, membranous, infolded tubes in the cytoplasm.
Function: Produces lipids (fats) and membrane proteins; buds off from rough ER to transport newly-made proteins and lipids to the Golgi body.
Vacuole:
Definition: Large, membrane-bound space filled with fluid, primarily water, taking up much of the cell volume.
Function: Helps maintain water balance and the shape of the cell.
Vesicle:
Definition: Small, membrane-bound space that transports materials in/out of or within the cell.
Example: Proteins produced in rough ER are transported by vesicles to the Golgi body for processing.
Animal Cells
Shape: Most animal cells are roundish or irregular in shape.
Key Organelles:
Cell Membrane:
Definition: Thin layer of protein and fat that surrounds the cell.
Function: Semipermeable allowing selective passage of substances.
Centriole:
Definition: Composed of microtubules, arranged in pairs perpendicular to each other.
Function: Forms spindle fibers during cell division, aiding in separating chromosomes during mitosis.
Cytoplasm:
Definition: Jelly-like material outside the cell nucleus where organelles are located.
Golgi Body:
Definition: Flattened, layered, sac-like organelle located near the nucleus resembling a stack of pancakes.
Function: Modifies, processes, and packages proteins and lipids for export from the cell.
Lysosome:
Definition: Vesicles containing digestive enzymes.
Function: Site of digestion of cell nutrients.
Mitochondrion:
Definition: Spherical to rod-shaped organelles with a double membrane; inner membrane forms cristae.
Function: Converts energy stored in glucose into ATP for cellular energy use.
Nuclear Membrane:
Definition: Membrane surrounding the nucleus.
Nucleolus:
Definition: Organelle within the nucleus.
Function: Production of ribosomal RNA, forming ribosomes in the cytoplasm.
Nucleus:
Definition: Spherical body surrounded by the nuclear membrane; contains primarily DNA in chromosomes.
Function: Controls cell functions including protein synthesis.
Ribosome:
Definition: Small organelles composed of RNA.
Function: Sites of protein synthesis.
Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum (Rough ER):
Definition: System of interconnected, membranous, infolded sacs in the cytoplasm.
Characteristic: Covered with ribosomes.
Function: Transports materials and produces proteins for export or cell membrane incorporation.
Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum (Smooth ER):
Definition: System of interconnected tubes in the cytoplasm.
Function: Produces lipids and membrane proteins, transporting them to the Golgi body.
Vacuole:
Definition: Fluid-filled, membrane-surrounded cavities inside a cell.
Function: Fills with food during digestion and collects waste material.
Characteristic: Smaller than plant cell vacuoles.
Vesicle:
Definition: Small, membrane-bound space that transports material in/out or within the cell.
Application: Some vesicles serve as storage vessels, transporting proteins from rough ER to Golgi body for processing.
Comparative Analysis: Plant vs. Animal Cells
Venn Diagram Usage: Fill in a Venn diagram to compare plant cells to animal cells, including unique and shared organelles.Items to compare: Cell membrane, cell wall, chloroplast, cytoplasm, shape, nucleus, ribosome, vacuole, centriole, mitochondria.
Plant Cell Unique Features: Cell wall, chloroplast, large central vacuole.
Animal Cell Unique Features: Centrioles, smaller vacuoles.
Common Features: Mitochondria, Golgi body, nucleus, ribosome, endoplasmic reticulum.
Key Differences:
Cell Wall: Present in plant cells to provide structural support; absent in animal cells.
Chloroplasts: Present in plant cells for photosynthesis; absent in animal cells.
Vacuoles: Plant cells have one large central vacuole for water balance and turgor pressure; animal cells have small, multiple vacuoles or none.
Centrioles: Present in animal cells, involved in cell division; generally absent in higher plant cells.
Shape: Plant cells typically have a fixed, rectangular shape due to the cell wall; animal cells have a roundish or irregular shape, lacking a rigid cell wall.
Visual Aids
Cross-sections of animal and plant cells are useful for visualizing differences in structure and organelles.
Annotated diagrams can assist in identifying the specific locations and appearances of cell organelles in both plant and animal cells.