1.

Definition and Importance of Cells

Define Cell: The basic structural, functional, and biological unit of all living organisms.

Importance: Cells carry out essential life processes. All organisms are made up of cells. The cell is the
fundamental unit of life. All the life activities are carried out by cells. The organisms can be classified
based on the number of cells present in them. Unicellular organisms are single-celled, while multicellular
organisms have a large number of cells.

Unicellular organisms are believed to be one of the earliest forms of life on earth. Eventually, more
complex multicellular organisms evolved from these unicellular life forms over the aeons. Multicellular
organisms have specialized cells with complicated cell organelles, which unicellular organisms typically
lack.

In an ecosystem, plants have the role of producers, while animals have taken the role of consumers.
Hence, their daily activities and functions vary, and so does their cell structure. Cell structure and
organelles vary in plants and animals, and are primarily classified based on their function. The difference
in their cell composition is the reason behind the difference between plant and animal cells.

Each cell organelle has a particular function to perform. Some of the cell organelles are present in both
plant cells and animal cells, while others are unique to just one of them. Most of the earth’s higher
organisms are eukaryotes, including all plants and animals. Hence, these cells share some similarities
typically associated with eukaryotes.

For example, all eukaryotic cells consist of a nucleus, plasma membrane, cytoplasm, peroxisomes,
mitochondria, ribosomes and other cell organelles.

2. Types of Cells

Prokaryotic Cells: Simple cells without a nucleus (e.g., bacteria).

Eukaryotic Cells: Complex cells with a nucleus (e.g., plant and animal cells).

3. Cell Structure and Functions

Cell Membrane: Semi-permeable membrane that controls the movement of substances in and out of
the cell.
 Cytoplasm: Gel-like substance where cell organelles are embedded and where most cellular activities
occur.

Nucleus: Control center of the cell, contains DNA.

Mitochondria: Powerhouse of the cell, produces energy through cellular respiration.

Ribosomes: Sites of protein synthesis.

Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER):

Rough ER: Studded with ribosomes, involved in protein synthesis.

Smooth ER: Involved in lipid synthesis and detoxification.

Golgi Apparatus: Modifies, sorts, and packages proteins and lipids for storage or transport out of the
cell.

Lysosomes: Contain digestive enzymes to break down waste materials and cellular debris.

Chloroplasts (in plant cells): Site of photosynthesis, contains chlorophyll.

Cell Wall (in plant cells): Rigid outer layer that provides support and protection.

Vacuoles: Storage sacs within the cell, larger in plant cells for storing water, nutrients, and waste
products.

4. Differences Between Plant and Animal Cells

Plant Cells:

Have a cell wall.

Contain chloroplasts.

Have a large central vacuole.

Animal Cells:

Lack a cell wall.

Do not have chloroplasts.

Have small, temporary vacuoles.

5. Cell Theory

All living organisms are composed of one or more cells.

All cells arise from pre-existing cells.

6. Microscopy

Light Microscope: Uses light to view cells; suitable for viewing cell structure.

Electron Microscope: Uses beams of electrons; provides greater magnification and resolution for
detailed cell structure.

7. Cell Specialization and Organization

Cell Specialization: Different types of cells have specific functions (e.g., red blood cells carry oxygen,
nerve cells transmit signals).

Levels of Organization:

Cells: Basic unit of life.

Tissues: Group of similar cells performing a specific function.

Organs: Different tissues working together (e.g., heart, liver).

Organ Systems: Groups of organs working together (e.g., digestive system, circulatory system).

Organism: A complete living being.

Key Points to Remember

Cells are the foundational unit of life.

Structure and function of cell organelles are essential for cell survival and operation.

Understanding cell differences and similarities in plant and animal cells helps in the study of biology.

Microscopy is crucial for studying cells and their components.

Cell theory provides a fundamental understanding of biological processes and development.

parts and their functions of the plant cell and animal cell

Cell Membrane

Function: Semi-permeable membrane that controls the movement of substances into and out of the
cell.

Cytoplasm

Function: Gel-like substance where cell organelles are suspended and where various cellular
processes occur.

Nucleus

Function: Contains the cell’s DNA and controls the cell’s activities by regulating gene expression.

Mitochondria

Function: Powerhouse of the cell, produces energy in the form of ATP through cellular respiration.

Ribosomes
 Function: Sites of protein synthesis, where RNA is translated into proteins.

Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER)

Rough ER: Studded with ribosomes; involved in the synthesis and transport of proteins.

Smooth ER: Lacks ribosomes; involved in the synthesis of lipids and detoxification processes.

Golgi Apparatus

Function: Modifies, sorts, and packages proteins and lipids for storage or transport out of the cell.

Lysosomes (more common in animal cells)

Function: Contain digestive enzymes to break down waste materials and cellular debris.

Vacuoles

Function in Animal Cells: Small and temporary, used for storage and transport of substances.

Function in Plant Cells: Large central vacuole, used for storing water, nutrients, and waste products;
helps maintain cell turgidity.

Unique Parts of Plant Cells

Cell Wall

Function: Rigid outer layer that provides structural support and protection; composed mainly of
cellulose.

Chloroplasts

Function: Site of photosynthesis, where light energy is converted into chemical energy (glucose);
contains the pigment chlorophyll.

Large Central Vacuole

Function: Maintains cell turgor pressure, stores nutrients and waste products, and helps in cell
growth by absorbing water.
Unique Parts of Animal Cells

Centrioles

Function: Involved in cell division, helping to organize the mitotic spindle and complete cytokinesis.

Lysosomes (as noted above, more prominent in animal cells)

Function: Contain digestive enzymes to break down macromolecules, old cell parts, and
microorganisms.

Specific functions of plant and animals cells

Organelle- Plant Cell/Animal Cell Function

Cell Membrane - Controls movement of substances in and out of the cell

Cytoplasm - Site of cellular processes and reactions

Nucleus -Contains DNA, controls cellular activities

Mitochondria - Produces energy (ATP) through cellular respiration

Ribosomes - Synthesizes proteins

Rough ER - Synthesizes and transports proteins

Smooth ER - Synthesizes lipids, detoxifies chemicals

Golgi Apparatus Modifies, sorts, packages proteins and lipids

Lysosomes - Digests waste materials and cellular debris

Vacuoles -Large central vacuole Small and temporary Stores water, nutrients, waste (plant);
stores substances (animal)

Cell Wall present in plant cells only Provides structural support and protection

Chloroplasts present in plant cells, Site of photosynthesis, contains chlorophyll

Centrioles present in animal cells, Organizes spindle fibers during cell division

Understanding these organelles and their functions is crucial for grasping how cells operate and
maintain life processes in both plants and animals.
As stated above, both plant and animal cells share a few common cell organelles, as both are
eukaryotes. The function of all these organelles is said to be very much similar. However, there are
major differences between plant and animal cells.

Conclusion

Both plant and animal cells comprise membrane-bound organelles, such as endoplasmic reticulum,
mitochondria, the nucleus, Golgi apparatus, and lysosomes. The plant cell can also be larger than the
animal cell. The normal range of the animal cell varies from about 10 – 30 micrometres and that of plant
cell range between 10 – 100 micrometres. Frequently Asked Questions

Q1

Which cell organelles are present only in plant cell and absent in animals cell?

Plant cells have a cell wall and plastids that animal cells lack.

Q2

How do plant cells and animal cells differ with respect to their shape?

A plant cell has a square or rectangular shape while the animal cells have an irregular or round shape.

Q3

Why are plant cells generally larger in size compared to the animal cells?

Plant cells comprise a large central vacuole that occupies a majority of the volume and makes the cell
larger. This vacuole is usually absent in the animal cell.

Q4

What is the function of vacuoles in a plant cell?

The vacuole stores waste material in a plant cell. It also maintains proper pressure in a plant cell that
helps in providing proper support and structure to the growing plants.

Q5

Name the cell organelle responsible for providing structural support for plant cells apart from the cell
wall.
The central vacuole provides structural support to the plant cell.

Q6

Name the cell organelle responsible for carrying out photosynthesis in plant cells.

Chloroplasts are responsible for carrying out photosynthesis in a plant cell.

Assignment