9 Differences Between Animal and Plant Cell

Animal and plant cells are both eukaryotic , but they differ in several key features. Plant cells have a rigid cell wall that provides support and protection, while animal cells do not. Plant cells also contain chloroplasts, which are organelles that capture sunlight and convert it into energy through photosynthesis, while animal cells do not.

Additionally, animal cells have centrosomes, which are involved in cell division, while plant cells do not.

Animal vs Plant Cell

Here are the main differences of both cells.

1. Presence of Cell Wall

Animal Cell	Plant Cell
The cell wall is Absent.	Cell wall is Present (formed of cellulose)

2. Shape of Cell

Animal Cell	Plant Cell
Cell shape is Round (irregular)	Cell shape is Rectangular (fixed)

3. Presence of Vacuole

Animal Cell	Plant Cell
One or more small vacuoles (much smaller than plant cells).	One, large central vacuole taking up to 90% of cell volume.

4. Presence of Centrioles

Animal Cell	Plant Cell
Present in all animal cells.	Only present in lower plant forms (for example chlamydomonas)

5. Presence of Chloroplast

Animal Cell	Plant Cell
Chloroplast is Absent in animal cells.	Plant cells have chloroplasts to make their own food.

6. Presence of Plasma Membrane

Animal Cell	Plant Cell
Animal cells have Only a cell membranes.	Both the Cell wall and the cell membrane is present.

7. Presence of Flagella

Animal Cell	Plant Cell
Present in some cells ( for example mammalian sperm cells)	Present in some cells (for example sperm of bryophytes)

 8. Presence of Lysosomes

Animal Cell	Plant Cell
Lysosomes occur in the cytoplasm.	Lysosomes usually not evident.

9. Presence of Cilia

Animal Cell	Plant Cell
Cilia is Present.	Most plant cells do not contain cilia.

Related FAQs