Understanding the differences between plant and animal cell is an essential aspect of general science biology. While both types of cells have certain characteristics in common, there are also notable distinctions.
Notably, plant cells possess a cell wall, which is absent in animal cells, serving as a protective barrier and providing structural support.
Conversely, animal cells contain lysosomes, which contain digestive enzymes, while plant cells do not have this organelle. Lastly, plant cells have chloroplasts, allowing them to carry out photosynthesis, while animal cells do not.
A few MCQs are included at the end of this topic to get an idea of the type of questions that can be asked on this topic.
• Question 01 - Difference between Plant Cell and Animal Cell with Diagram • Subject - Biology • Category - General Science • Chapter - Cell The Unit of Life
Difference between Plant Cell and Animal Cell
Here’s a table outlining some of the key differences between plant cells and animal cells, along with a labeled diagram for each:
| Sl No | Characteristic | Plant Cell | Animal Cell |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cell wall | A plant cell is surrounded by a rigid cell wall made of cellulose | An animal cell does not have a cell wall. |
| 2 | Shape | Rectangular or square | Round or irregular |
| 3 | Chloroplasts | Plant cells have plastids for photosynthesis | Animal cells do not have plastids |
| 4 | Vacuole | large and central | small and scattered |
| 5 | Lysosomes | Lysosomes are very rare in plant cells | Animal cells have lysosomes. |
| 6 | Centrosomes | Centrosomes are absent in plant cells | Animal cells have centrosomes. |
| 7 | Cilia/Flagella | Plant cells do not have cilia. | Animal cells have cilia |
| 9 | Example | Leaf cell | Muscle cell |
| 10 | Mode of Nutrition | Primarily autotrophic | Heterotrophic |
Similarities between Plant Cell and Animal Cell
• Here are the cell organelles that are present in both animal and plant cells:
- Nucleus
- Mitochondria
- Endoplasmic reticulum
- Golgi apparatus
- Cytoskeleton
- Cell membrane
- Ribosomes
Difference between Plant Cell and Animal Cell with Diagram
Sample MCQs from this topic
Here are 5 multiple-choice questions (MCQ) on the topic “Difference between Plant Cell and Animal Cell”:
1. Which of the following is a unique organelle found in plant cells but not in animal cells?
A. Mitochondria
B. Chloroplasts
C. Golgi apparatus
D. Endoplasmic reticulum
Answer – B. Chloroplasts
Explanation-
2. Which of the following structures is present in both plant and animal cells?
A. Cell wall
B. Mitochondria
C. Flagella
D. Chloroplasts
Answer –B. Mitochondria
Explanation-
3. Which of the following is true of the shape of animal cells compared to plant cells?
A. Animal cells are typically larger and more irregularly shaped
B. Animal cells are typically smaller and more regular in shape
C. Plant and animal cells are typically the same size and shape
D. The shape of plant and animal cells varies depending on their location in the body
Answer –A. Animal cells are typically larger and more irregularly shaped
Explanation-
4. Which of the following is a function of the vacuole in plant cells?
A. Energy production
B. Protein synthesis
C. Waste removal
D. Storage of water and other molecules
Answer –D. Storage of water and other molecules
Explanation-
Frequently Asked Questions
Answer: 3 major differences between plant and animal cells are:
The animal cell has centrioles, centrosome, and lysosomes but plant cell lack them.
Animal cell lack cell walls, unlike a plant cell which has cellulosic cell wall.
Animal cell lack chloroplast, whereas plant cell has chloroplast.
Answer: Cell wall and Plastids
Answer: Plant cells typically exhibit a square or rectangular morphology, whereas animal cells tend to be more irregular or rounded in shape.
Answer: Chloroplasts are responsible for photosynthesis in a plant cell.
Answer: Plant cells have a large central vacuole that occupies most of the volume and enlarges the cell. This vacuole is normally absent in animal cells.
