Cells By: Brooke Sheppard

What is a Cell? Cells are the basic structure of life for all organisms. Cells are microscopic, which means we can only view cells under a microscope. There are animal cells and plant cells that have similarities as well as differences. Try to spot the similarities and differences between animal and plant cells in the following pages.

Animal Cell

Plant Cell

Cell Membrane The cell membrane helps keep all of the parts of a cell intact or inside of the cell. The cell membrane is mainly composed of proteins and phospholipids. The cell membrane is found in both animal and plant cells.

Nucleus The Nucleus is commonly known as the “command center” of the cell. An animal cell is made up of a nuclear envelop that protects the cell, a nucleolus, chromosomes, chromatin, and nuclear pores. The nucleus is found in both plant and animal cells.

Nucleolus The Nucleolus of a cell is made of protein and RNA. The Nucleolus can be found inside of the nucleus. The nucleolus is found in both plant and animal cells.

Vacuole The vacuole stores needed food and nutrients for the cell to use in order to survive. It also stores waste products for the cell. The vacuoles are often known as “storage bubbles.” A plant cell has one large vacuole, while animal cells have one or more smaller vacuoles.

Lysosome Lysosomes digests things for the cell, such as food, organelles, and even cells. They hold enzymes and proteins that the cell creates. Lysosomes can be found in the cytoplasm of animal cells and are not very evident in plant cells.

Cytoplasm Within a cell, there is fluid that surrounds each part of the cell and is known as the cytoplasm. Cytoplasm is present in both plant and animal cells.

Mitochondrion The mitochondria is often known as the “powerhouse” of a cell. The mitochondrion is responsible for creating energy for the cell to use. Mitochondria are found in both plant and animal cells.

Golgi Complex The Golgi Complex is also known as the Golgi Apparatus. The Golgi Complex rounds up simple molecules and then combines those molecules together. This is a packaging organelle and is found in both animal and plant cells.

Endoplasmic Reticulum The Endoplasmic Reticulum is responsible for manufacturing and packaging materials in a cell. There are two types of Endoplasmic Reticulum known as Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum and Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum. This part is found in both plant and animal cells.

Cell Wall Cell Walls are found in plant cells and are composed of cellulose. The Cell Wall protects the actual plant cell itself.

Chloroplasts The chloroplasts of a cell are in charge of producing food that is needed by the cell. Chloroplasts are found in plant cells and not in animal cells.

Ribosomes Ribosomes build proteins and can be found either floating free or attached to the Endoplasmic Reticulum. When building proteins, Ribosomes connect amino acids together and link them as a chain. Ribosomes are found in both plant and animal cells.

References D. (2016). Plant Cell vs Animal Cell. Retrieved August 02, 2016, from http://www.diffen.com/difference/Animal_Cell_vs_Plant_Cell Andrew Rader Studios. (2015). Cells are the Starting Point. Retrieved August 02, 2016, from http://www.biology4kids.com/files/cell _main.html