Animal Cell and Plant Cell

The cell is the most basic component to provide structure to living beings along with helping them in functioning.

Functions of a Cell

• It gives the body the much-needed structure and support- Every part of the body is made up of some combinations of cells; for example, Xylem is made up of cells which give structural support to plants
• Animal skin is a component which is made by the combination of cells
• Aid the process of growth- We know that tissues grow with the growth of simple replication reproduction of cells
• This multiplication of cells in the body happens using a process known as mitosis
• Transportation – Nutrients are used in different chemical reactions and procedures of the body
• The residue of these procedures is gotten rid of, by the cells
• Important components of life like oxygen, carbon dioxide and ethanol are all transported through the cell membrane
• Energy production – Each and every activity in animals and in plants requires a certain amount of energy
• This is obtained by many chemical reactions which is a continuous process
• Controls metabolism- Metabolism is the process using which the body converts these food items into a simpler form of energy
• Helps in reproduction- Mitosis is the process of helping reproduction in organisms which are highly evolved
• Mitosis is done by the division of cells whereas meiosis is a part of sexual reproduction

Difference between Animal and Plant Cells

Animal and plant cells both have somewhat similar functions except for a few functions which are restricted to each other respectively. There are some differences in their shapes, organelles, etc. 

The Outer Layer of the Cell

Plant cells have an extra outer layer known as the cell wall. It is made up of cellulose. However, the plant cells have a cell membrane too,  inside the boundaries of the cell wall. In animal cells, the cell membrane is the outermost layer. 

Shape 

An animal cell is usually round or irregular in shape whereas the plant cell is rectangular in shape.

Centrosomes and Centrioles

In plant cells, these organelles are absent and in the animal cells, they are present usually. 

Plastids 

This is another cell organelle which is present in the animal cell but absent in the plant cells.

Vacuoles

In animal cells vacuoles are either missing or present in small sizes whereas the vacuoles in plant cells are large and prominent.

Cilia

 In animal cells cilia is present whereas in plant cells they are absent . 

Mitochondria

Quality of mitochondria is in large numbers in the animal cells but is less in plant cells.

Nutrition 

In animal cells, heterotrophic mode of nutrition is followed and in the plant cells, the usual mode of nutrition is autotrophic.

Golgi Bodies

 The Golgi bodies in animals are very prominent and complex but when it is seen in plant cells they are less complex versions of them. The simple Golgi bodies are known as dictyosomes.

Conclusion

Cells are the most essential part of a human and plant body and its formation. These are the foundation of any organism ranging from animals to single cellular organisms. Although cells are present in both plants and animals there will be differences as both of them are different in characteristics and require different functions to be fulfilled. The overall functions of the cells remain similar though.