The Difference between Animal and Plant Cell

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.

Anatomy of an Animal Cell

The components of animal cell:

Cell membrane - the thin layer of protein and fat that surrounds the cell. The cell
membrane is semipermeable, allowing some substances to pass into the cell and
blocking others.
Cytoplasm - the jellylike material outside the cell nucleus in which the organelles are
located.
Golgi body - (also called the Golgi apparatus or golgi complex) a flattened, layered,
sac-like organelle that looks like a stack of pancakes and is located near the nucleus. It
produces the membranes that surround the lysosomes. The Golgi body packages
proteins and carbohydrates into membrane-bound vesicles for "export" from the cell.
Lysosome - (also called cell vesicles) round organelles surrounded by a membrane
and containing digestive enzymes. This is where the digestion of cell nutrients takes
place.
Mitochondria - spherical to rod-shaped organelles with a double membrane. The inner
membrane is infolded many times, forming a series of projections (called cristae). The
mitochondrion converts the energy stored in glucose into ATP (adenosine triphosphate)
for the cell.
Nucleolus - an organelle within the nucleus - it is where ribosomal RNA is produced.
Some cells have more than one nucleolus.
Nucleus - spherical body containing many organelles, including the nucleolus. The
nucleus controls many of the functions of the cell (by controlling protein synthesis) and
contains DNA (in chromosomes). The nucleus is surrounded by the nuclear membrane.
Ribosome - small organelles composed of RNA-rich cytoplasmic granules that are sites
of protein synthesis.
Rough endoplasmic reticulum - (rough ER) a vast system of interconnected,
membranous, infolded and convoluted sacks that are located in the cell's cytoplasm (the
ER is continuous with the outer nuclear membrane). Rough ER is covered with
ribosomes that give it a rough appearance. Rough ER transports materials through the
cell and produces proteins in sacks called cisternae (which are sent to the Golgi body,
or inserted into the cell membrane).
Smooth endoplasmic reticulum - (smooth ER) a vast system of interconnected,
membranous, infolded and convoluted tubes that are located in the cell's cytoplasm (the
ER is continuous with the outer nuclear membrane). The space within the ER is called
the ER lumen. Smooth ER transports materials through the cell. It contains enzymes
and produces and digests lipids (fats) and membrane proteins; smooth ER buds off
from rough ER, moving the newly-made proteins and lipids to the Golgi body,
lysosomes, and membranes.
Vacuole - fluid-filled, membrane-surrounded cavities inside a cell. The vacuole fills with
food being digested and waste material that is on its way out of the cell.

Anatomy of a Plant Cell

The components of plant cell:
Amyloplast - an organelle in some plant cells that stores starch. Amyloplasts are found
in starchy plants like tubers and fruits.
Cell membrane - the thin layer of protein and fat that surrounds the cell, but is inside
the cell wall. The cell membrane is semipermeable, allowing some substances to pass
into the cell and blocking others.
Cell wall - a thick, rigid membrane that surrounds a plant cell. This layer of cellulose
fiber gives the cell most of its support and structure. The cell wall also bonds with other
cell walls to form the structure of the plant.
Centrosome - (also called the "microtubule organizing center") a small body located
near the nucleus - it has a dense center and radiating tubules. The centrosomes is
where microtubules are made. During cell division (mitosis), the centrosome divides and
the two parts move to opposite sides of the dividing cell. Unlike the centrosomes in
animal cells, plant cell centrosomes do not have centrioles.
Chlorophyll - chlorophyll is a molecule that can use light energy from sunlight to turn
water and carbon dioxide gas into sugar and oxygen (this process is called
photosynthesis). Chlorophyll is magnesium based and is usually green.
Chloroplast - an elongated or disc-shaped organelle containing chlorophyll.
Photosynthesis (in which energy from sunlight is converted into chemical energy - food)
takes place in the chloroplasts.
Christae - (singular crista) the multiply-folded inner membrane of a cell's mitochondrion
that are finger-like projections. The walls of the cristae are the site of the cell's energy
production (it is where ATP is generated).
Cytoplasm - the jellylike material outside the cell nucleus in which the organelles are
located.
Golgi body - (also called the golgi apparatus or golgi complex) a flattened, layered,
sac-like organelle that looks like a stack of pancakes and is located near the nucleus.
The golgi body packages proteins and carbohydrates into membrane-bound vesicles for
"export" from the cell.
Mitochondrion - spherical to rod-shaped organelles with a double membrane. The
inner membrane is infolded many times, forming a series of projections (called cristae).
The mitochondrion converts the energy stored in glucose into ATP (adenosine
triphosphate) for the cell.
Nuclear membrane - the membrane that surrounds the nucleus.
Nucleolus - an organelle within the nucleus - it is where ribosomal RNA is produced.
Nucleus - spherical body containing many organelles, including the nucleolus. The
nucleus controls many of the functions of the cell (by controlling protein synthesis) and
contains DNA (in chromosomes). The nucleus is surrounded by the nuclear membrane
Photosynthesis - a process in which plants convert sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide
into food energy (sugars and starches), oxygen and water. Chlorophyll or closely-
related pigments (substances that color the plant) are essential to the photosynthetic
process.
Ribosome - small organelles composed of RNA-rich cytoplasmic granules that are sites
of protein synthesis.
Rough endoplasmic reticulum - (rough ER) a vast system of interconnected,
membranous, infolded and convoluted sacks that are located in the cell's cytoplasm (the
ER is continuous with the outer nuclear membrane). Rough ER is covered with
ribosomes that give it a rough appearance. Rough ER transport materials through the
cell and produces proteins in sacks called cisternae (which are sent to the Golgi body,
or inserted into the cell membrane).
Smooth endoplasmic reticulum - (smooth ER) a vast system of interconnected,
membranous, infolded and convoluted tubes that are located in the cell's cytoplasm (the
ER is continuous with the outer nuclear membrane). The space within the ER is called
the ER lumen. Smooth ER transport materials through the cell. It contains enzymes and
produces and digests lipids (fats) and membrane proteins; smooth ER buds off from
rough ER, moving the newly-made proteins and lipids to the Golgi body and
membranes
Vacuole - a large, membrane-bound space within a plant cell that is filled with fluid.
Most plant cells have a single vacuole that takes up much of the cell. It helps maintain
the shape of the cell.
Sources:
http://www.sparknotes.com/biology/cellstructure/celldifferences/section1.rhtml
https://www.thoughtco.com/animal-cells-vs-plant-cells-373375