The Difference Between Animal and Plant Cell: Chloroplasts
The Difference Between Animal and Plant Cell: Chloroplasts
Structurally, plant and animal cells are very similar because they are both
eukaryotic cells. They both contain membrane-bound organelles such as the nucleus,
mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum, golgi apparatus, lysosomes, and peroxisomes.
Both also contain similar membranes, cytosol, and cytoskeletal elements. The functions
of these organelles are extremely similar between the two classes of cells (peroxisomes
perform additional complex functions in plant cells having to do with cellular respiration).
However, the few differences that exist between plant and animals are very significant
and reflect a difference in the functions of each cell.
Plant cells can be larger than animal cells. The normal range for an animal cell
varies from 10 to 30 micrometers while that for a plant cell stretches from 10 to 100
micrometers. Beyond size, the main structural differences between plant and animal
cells lie in a few additional structures found in plant cells. These structures include:
chloroplasts, the cell wall, and vacuoles.
Chloroplasts
In animal cells, the mitochondria produce the majority of the cells energy from
food. It does not have the same function in plant cells. Plant cells use sunlight as their
energy source; the sunlight must be converted into energy inside the cell in a process
called photosynthesis. Chloroplasts are the structures that perform this function. They
are rather large, double membrane-bound structures (about 5 micrometers across) that
contain the substance chlorophyll, which absorbs sunlight. Additional membranes within
the chloroplast contain the structures that actually carry out photosynthesis.
Chloroplasts carry out energy conversion through a complex set of reactions similar to
those performed by mitochondria in animals. The double membrane structure of
chloroplasts is also reminiscent of mitochondria. The inner membrane encloses an area
called the stoma, which is analogous to the matrix in mitochondria and houses DNA,
RNA, ribosomes, and different enzymes. Chloroplasts, however, contain a third
membrane and are generally larger than mitochondria.
The Cell Wall
Another structural difference between in plant cells is the presence of a rigid cell
wall surrounding the cell membrane. This wall can range from 0.1 to 10 micrometers
thick and is composed of fats and sugars. The tough wall gives added stability and
protection to the plant cell.
Vacuoles
Vacuoles are large, liquid-filled organelles found only in plant cells. Vacuoles can
occupy up to 90% of a cell's volume and have a single membrane. Their main function
is as a space-filler in the cell, but they can also fill digestive functions similar to
lysosomes (which are also present in plant cells). Vacuoles contain a number of
enzymes that perform diverse functions, and their interiors can be used as storage for
nutrients or, as mentioned, provide a place to degrade unwanted substances.
Other Differences:
Size: Animal cells are generally smaller than plant cells. Animal cells range from
10 to 30 micrometers in length, while plant cells range from 10 and 100
micrometers in length.
Shape: Animal cells come in various sizes and tend to have round or irregular
shapes. Plant cells are more similar in size and are typically rectangular or cube
shaped.
Energy Storage: Animals cells store energy in the form of the complex
carbohydrate glycogen. Plant cells store energy as starch.
Proteins: Of the 20 amino acids needed to produce proteins, only 10 can be
produced naturally in animal cells. The other so-called essential amino acids
must be acquired through diet. Plants are capable of synthesizing all 20 amino
acids.
Differentiation: In animal cells, only stem cells are capable of converting to other
cell types. Most plant cell types are capable of differentiation.
Growth: Animal cells increase in size by increasing in cell numbers. Plant cells
mainly increase cell size by becoming larger. They grow by absorbing more
water into the central vacuole.
Cell Wall: Animal cells do not have a cell wall but have a cell membrane. Plant
cells have a cell wall composed of cellulose as well as a cell membrane.
Centrioles: Animal cells contain these cylindrical structures that organize the
assembly of microtubules during cell division. Plant cells do not typically contain
centrioles.
Cilia: Cilia are found in animal cells but not usually in plant cells. Cilia are
microtubules that aid in cellular locomotion.
Cytokinesis: Cytokinesis, the division of the cytoplasm during cell division,
occurs in animal cells when a cleavage furrow forms that pinches the cell
membrane in half. In plant cell cytokinesis, a cell plate is constructed that divides
the cell.
Glyoxysomes: These structures are not found in animal cells, but are present in
plant cells. Glyoxysomes help to degrade lipids, particularly in germinating seeds,
for the production of sugar.
Lysosomes: Animal cells possess lysosomes which contain enzymes that digest
cellular macromolecules. Plant cells rarely contain lysosomes as the plant
vacuole handles molecule degradation.
Plastids: Animal cells do not have plastids. Plant cells contain plastids such as
chloroplasts, which are needed for photosynthesis.
Plasmodesmata: Animal cells do not have plasmodesmata. Plant cells have
plasmodesmata, which are pores between plant cell walls that allow molecules
and communication signals to pass between individual plant cells.
Vacuole: Animal cells may have many small vacuoles. Plant cells have a large
central vacuole that can occupy up to 90% of the cell's volume.