Plant Cell

Plant cells are eukaryotic cells or cells with membrane bound nucleus. Generally, plant cells are larger than
animal cells and are mostly similar in size and are rectangular or cube shaped. Plant cells are similar to
animal cells in being eukaryotic and they have similar cell organelles.

What is a Plant Cell?

Plant cells are eukaryotic cells i.e., the DNA in a plant cell is enclosed within the nucleus. The most
important distinctive structure of plant cell is the presence of the cell wall outside the cell membrane.
It forms the outer lining of the cell. The cell wall mostly constitutes of cellulose and its main function is
providing support and rigidity. Plants cells also contain many membrane bound cellular structures. These
organelles carry out specific functions necessary for survival and normal operation of the cells. There are a
wide range of operations like producing hormones, enzymes, and all metabolic activities of the cell.

Diagram of Plant Cell

Distinctive Features of Plant Cell
Plant cells contain cell structures like cell wall, plastids, and large vacuoles.
Cell wall provide plant cells rigidity and structural support and cell to cell interaction.
Plastids help in storage of plant products.
Chloroplasts aid in carrying out the process of photosynthesis to produce food for the plants.
Vacuoles are water-filled, membrane bound organelles which stores useful materials.
Plants have specialized cells in order to perform certain functions for the survival of plants. Some
cells manufacture and store organic molecules, others transport nutrients throughout the plant.
Some specialized plant cells include: parenchyma cells, collenchyma cells, sclerenchyma cells,
water conducting cells and food conducting cells.

Parts of Plant Cell

Plants cell constitute of membrane bound nucleus and many cellular structures. These organelles carry out
functions that are necessary for the proper functioning and survival of the cell. The cell organelles of the
plant are enclosed by a cell wall and cell membrane. The constituents of the cell are suspended in the
cytoplasm or cytosol.
The parts of the plant cell are as follows:
Cell wall is the outermost rigid covering of the plant cell. It is a salient feature of plant cell.
Cell membrane or the plasma membrane is the outer lining of the cell inside the cell wall.
Cytosol or cytoplasm is the gel-like matrix inside the cell membrane which constitutes all other cell
organelles.
Nucleus is the control center of the cell. It is a membrane bound structure which contains the hereditary
material of the cell - the DNA
Chloroplast is a plastid with green pigment chlorophyll. It traps light energy and converts it to chemical
energy by the process of photosynthesis.
Mitochondria carries out cellular respiration and provides energy to the cells.
Vacuoles are the temporary storage center of the cell.
Golgi body is the unit where proteins are sorted and packed.
Ribosomes are structures that assemble proteins.
Endoplasmic reticulum are membrane covered organelles that transport materials.

Plant Cell Structure and Function

All parts of the plant play a significant role in the proper functioning of the cell. Unlike animals, plant cells
are surrounded by a rigid cell wall.
Cell wall: The cell wall is a rigid layer that surrounds the plant cells. It is made up of cellulose. Cell wall is a
characteristic feature to cells of plants. Plant cell walls are primarily made up of cellulose. Plant cell wall
consists of three layers: the primary cell wall, secondary cell wall and the middle lamella. It is located
outside the cell membrane whose main function is to provide rigidity, strength, protection against
mechanical stress and infection. Cell wall is made up of cellulose, pectins,glycoproteins, hemicellulose and
lignin.
Cell membrane: It is the outer boundary of the cell, it encloses the cytoplasm and the organelles of the
cells. In plants cells it is inside the cell wall. The cell membrane is semi permeable, allowing only specific
substances to pass through and blocking others.
Chloroplasts: It is an elongated or disc-shaped organelle containing chlorophyll. They have two membranes
and have structures that look like stack of coins. They are flattened structures which contain chemical
chlorophyll. The process of photosynthesis occurs in this region of the plant cell. The chlorophyll is a green
pigment that absorbs energy from sunlight to make food for the plants by converting light energy into
chemical energy.
Cytoskeleton: It is a network of fibers made up of micro-tubule and micro-filament. They maintain the
shape and gives support to the cell.
Microtubules: They are hollow cylinder like structures found in the cytoplasm of the cells. Its function is
transport and structural support.
Microfilaments: Microfialments are solid rod like structures whose primary function is structural support.
Plasmodesmata: They are microscopic channels which traverse the cell walls of plant cells and enables
transport and communication between them.
Vacuole: Vacuoles are known as cells storage center. Plant cells have large membrane bound chamber
called vacuole. Its main function is storage. Vacuoles are found in the cytoplasm of most plant cells. They
are membrane bound organelles, they perform functions of secretion, excretion and storage.
Tonoplast: A vacuole that is surrounded by a membrane is called tonoplast.
Plastids: Plastids are storage organelles. They store products like starch for synthesis of fatty acids and
terpenes.
Leucoplast: They are a type of plastid which are non-pigmented.
Chromoplast: They are plastids responsible for pigment synthesis and storage. They are found in
photosynthetic eukaryotic species. They are found in colored organs of plants like fruits and flowers.
Golgi complex: The Golgi bodies look like the endoplasmic reticulum and are situated near the nucleus.
They are found in almost all eukaryotic cells. Their main function is to process and package
macromolecules synthesized from other parts of the cell. The Golgi apparatus is referred to as the cell's
packaging center.
Ribosomes: Ribosomes are smallest and the most abundant cell organelle. It comprises of RNA and
protein. Ribosomes are sites for protein synthesis. They are found in all cells because protein are necessary
for the survival of the cell. The ribososomes are known as the protein factories of the cell.
Endoplasmic reticulum: Endoplasmic reticulum is a membrane bound compartment, which look like
flattened sacs lined side by side. It is a large network of interconnecting membrane tunnels. It is composed
of both rough endoplasmic reticulum and smooth endoplasmic reticulum.
They are responsible for protein translation, and protein transport to be used in the cell membrane. They
also aid in sequestration of calcium, and production and storage of glycogen and other macromolecules.
Mitochondria: Mitochondria are surrounded by two membranes. They are described as the 'power plants' of
the cell as they convert glucose to energy molecules (ATP). They possess their own hereditary material
which help in self duplication and multiplication.
Lysosome: Lysosome contain digestive enzymes. They digest excess or worn out organelles, food particles
and any foreign bodies.
Microbody: It is a single membrane bound organelle that comprises of degradative enzymes
Cytoplasm: It is a gel-like matrix inside enclosed by the cell membrane. The cytoplasm supports cell
organelles and also prevents the cell from bursting or shrinking.
Nucleus: It is the control center of the cell. It is bound by a double membrane known as the nuclear
envelope. It is a porous membrane, it allows passage of substances and is a distinctive characteristic of
the eukaryotic cell. Most of the genetic material is organized as multiple long linear DNA molecules. The
nucleus directs all the activities of the cell and also help in protein formation.

Plastids in Plant Cell

Plastids are cell organelles that store specific things found only in plant cell but absent in animal cells.In
plant cell they are found in the cytoplasm. Plastids are spherical or ovoid in shape. They are involved in
manufacture and storage of certain important chemical compounds.
The term plastids was coined by Schimper in 1885 and was derived from a Greek word 'plastikas' which
means formed or moulded.
Plastids in plants include chloroplasts, chromoplasts, leucoplasts, amyloplast, elaioplast and
proteinoplast/aleuronoplast depending on the function they play.

Chloroplasts
The word chloroplast is derived from the Greek word chloros meaning green and plast meaning form or
entity. It is the most important plastid as they are involved in photosynthesis. The chloroplasts are situated
near the surface of the cell and in parts where there is sufficient reception of sunlight. The shape of the
cholorplast varies, it may be spheroid or ovoid or discoid.
For a given cell type the size of plastid is constant but it differs from species to species.It is about 4-5
microns in length and 1-3 microns in thickness. The number of chloroplast may be 20 to 40 per cell may be
upto 1000, the number varies from species to species but is constant for a plant.

Structure
Chloroplasts are disc-shaped and are enclosed by a double membrane.
Within the inner membrane is a protein-rich substance known as stroma, it is embedded in a membrane
system. This membrane system forms membrane bound vesicles called thylakoids.
The thylakoids lie in stacks called grana. This contains the photosynthetic pigments - chlorophyll a and b
and carotenoids. Lamellae are tubular membranes which interconnect the grana.

Functions
Photosynthesis is carried out in the chloroplast.
The enzymes and co-enzymes necessary for photosynthesis is present.

Chromoplast
Chromo means color; plast means living. Chromoplasts are colored plastids and they contain various
pigments like yellow,orange and red.
They are found commonly in flowers and fruits. The color is due ot pigement, carotenes and xanthophylls.

Functions
In flowers the main function is attract agents for pollination.
In fruits it is to attract agents for dispersal.

Leucoplasts
These are colorless plastids and occur in parts of plants that are not exposed to light like roots and seeds.
The absence of color is due to the lack of pigments.

Functions
Starch grain formations are seen in leucoplast.
Oils and proteins are synthesized here.

Animal Cell
All animal cells are multicellular. They are eukaryotic cells. Animal cells are surrounded by plasma
membrane and it contains the nucleus and organelles that are membrane bound.
Animal cells are of various sizes and have irregular shapes. Most of the cells size range between 1 and 100
micrometers and are visible only with help of microscope. Trillions of cells are found in the human
body. There are many different types of cells, approximately 210 distinct cell types in adult human body.

Animal Cell Definition

Animal cells are eukarytoic. Animal cells are have outer boundary known as the plasma membrane. The
nucleus and the organelles of the cell are bound by a membrane. The genetic material (DNA) in animal
cells is within the nucleus that is bound by a double membrane. The cell organelles have a vast range of
functions to perform like hormone and enzyme production to providing energy for the cells.
The components of animal cells are centrioles, cilia and flagella, endoplasmic reticulum, golgi apparatus,
lysosomes, microfilaments, microtubules, mitochondria, nucleus, peroxisomes, plasma membrane and
ribosomes.

Parts of Animal Cell

Animal cell contains membrane bound nucleus, it also contains other membrane bound cellular
organelles. These cellular organelles carry out specific functions that are necessary for the normal
functioning of the cell. Animal cells lack cell wall, a large vacuole and plastids. Due to the lack of the cell
wall, the shape and size of the animal cells are mostly irregular. The constituents of animal cells are
structures like centrioles, cilia and flagella and lysosomes.
Parts of the animal cell are as follows:

Cell membrane - forms the outer covering of the cell, and is semi-permeable.
Cytoplasm - is a gel-like matrix where all the other cell organelles are suspended inside the cell.
Nucleus - contains the hereditary material DNA and directs the activities of the cell.
Centrioles - organize the microtubules assembly during cell division.
Endoplasmic Reticulum - are a network of membranes composed of rough and smooth
endoplasmic reticulum.
Golgi complex - is responsible for storing, packaging of cellular products.
Lysosomes - are enzyme sacs, that digest cellular wastes.
Microtubules - are hollow rods, function primarily as support and shape to the cell.
Mitochondria - is the site for cellular respiration and producers of energy.
Ribosomes - are made of RNA and proteins, and are sites for protein synthesis.
Nucleolus - is the structure within the nucleus and helps in synthesis of ribosomes.
Nucleopore - is the tiny hole in the nuclear membrane, allows the movement of nucleic acids and
proteins in/out of the cell.

Animal Cell Structure

Animal cells are eukaryotic cells, the nucleus and other organelles of the cell are bound by membrane.

Cell membrane
It is a semi-permeable barrier, allowing only a few molecules to move across it.
Electron microscopic studies of cell membrane shows the lipid bi-layer model of the plasma membrane, it
also known as the fluid mosaic model.
The cell membrane is made up of phospholipids which has polar(hydrophillic) heads and non-polar
(hydrophobic) tails.
Cytoplasm
The fluid matrix that fills the cell is the cytoplasm.
The cellular organelles are suspended in this matrix of the cytoplasm.
This matrix maintains the pressure of the cell, ensures the cell doesn't shrink or burst.
Nucleus
Nucleus is the house for most of the cells genetic material- the DNA and RNA.
The nucleus is surrounded by a porous membrane known as the nuclear membrane.
The RNA moves in/out of the nucleus through these pores.
Proteins needed by the nucleus enter through the nuclear pores.
The RNA helps in protein synthesis through transcription process.
The nucleus controls the activity of the cell and is known as the control center.
The nucleolus is the dark spot in the nucleus, and it is the location for ribosome formation.
Ribosomes
Ribosomes is the site for protein synthesis where the translation of the RNA takes place.
As protein synthesis is very important to the cell, ribosomes are found in large number in all cells.

Ribosomes are found freely suspended in the cytoplasm and also are attached to the endoplasmic
reticulum.
Endoplasmic reticulum
ER is the transport system of the cell. It transports molecules that need certain changes and also
molecules to their destination.
ER is of two types, rough and smooth.
ER bound to the ribosomes appear rough and is the rough endoplasmic reticulum; while the smooth ER do
not have the ribosomes.
Lysosomes
It is the digestive system of the cell.
They have digestive enzymes helps in breakdown the waste moelcules and also help in detoxification of
the cell.
If the lysosomes were not membrane bound the cell could not have used the destructive enzymes.
Centrosomes
It is located near the nucleus of the cell and is known as the 'microtubule organizing center' of the cell.
Microtubules are made in the centrosome.
During mitosis the centrosome aids in dividing of the cell and moving of the chromosome to the opposite
sides of the cell.
Vacuoles
They are bound by single membrane and small organelles.
In many organisms vacuoles are storage organelles.
Vesicles are smaller vacuoles which function for transport in/out of the cell.
Golgi bodies
Golgi bodies are the packaging center of the cell.
The Golgi bodies modify the molecules from the rough ER by dividing them into smaller units with
membrane known as vesicles.
They are flattened stacks of membrane-bound sacs.
Mitochondria
Mitochondria is the main energy source of the cell.
They are called the power house of the cell because energy(ATP) is created here.
Mitochondria consists of inner and outer membrane.
It is spherical or rod shaped organelle.
It is an organelle which is independent as it has its own hereditary material.
Peroxisomes
Peroxisomes are single membrane bound organelle that contain oxidative enzymes that are digestive in
function.
They help in digesting long chains of fatty acids and amino acids and help in synthesis of cholesterol.
Cytoskeleton
It is the network of microtubules and microfilament fibres.
They give structural support and maintain the shape of the cell.
Cilia and Flagella
Cilia and flagella are structurally identical structures.
They are different based on the function they perform and their length.
Cilia are short and are in large number per cell while flagella are longer and are fewer in number.
They are organelles of movement.
The flagellar motion is undulating and wave-like whereas the ciliary movement is power stroke and
recovery stroke.

Function of Animal Cell

All living organisms are made up of cells. Cells are differentiated into plant cells and animal cells.
Structurally there are a few differences in plant and animal cells though their functionality is almost the
same.

All the cells are enclosed in a protective membrane called the cell membrane however plant cells have an
extra addition the cell wall. The cells have certain organelles that are membrane bound within them, these
structures are called cellular organelles. These organelles are specified to perform certain activities that

are important for the survival of the cell. All the cells function together in coordination with each other and
help the organism to survive. The functions of animal cell is carried out by the different cell organelles. The
organelles of the cell function as a unit and regulate the activities of the cell. The different cell organelles
and their functions are as follows:
Cell Nucleus - Cell nucleus is referred to as the control center of the cell. The genetic material of the
organism is present in the cell. The replication of DNA, and synthesis of RNA occurs in the nucleus of the
cell. It also regulates the activities of the other cellular organelles.
Mitochondria - The mitochondria is referred to as the power house of the cell. Its main function if to
produce energy for cell by the process of cellular respiration. The energy produced is ATP.
Endoplasmic Reticulum - It is a network for transportation of certain substances in and out of the nucleus.
Golgi Apparatus - It is involved with processing and packaging of the molecules that are synthesized by the
cells. The crude proteins that are passed on by the ER to the apparatus are developed by the golgi
apparatus into primary, secondary, and tertiary proteins.
Ribosomes - The function of ribosomes is protein synthesis.
Lysosomes - They are referred to as the suicide bags of the cell. They have digestive enzymes and are
involved in clearing the in wanted waste materials from the cell. They also engulf damaged materials like
the damaged cells,and invading microorganisms and digest food particles.
Vacuole - They are large storage organelles. They store excess food or water.
Functions of The Animal Cell
The animal cells perform variety of activities by the aid of the cellular organelles. These cells function as a
unit and the cells together form tissues. A group go tissues with similar function form an organ and a group
of organ of specific function to perform becomes and organ system. Thus, the microscopic cells form the
basic unit for the activities and coordination and help survival of the organism.