1.3 Animal and plant cells

Animal and plant cells are structured differently due to requiring different functions

Animal and plant cells both have:

• Cell membrane (controls exchange of substances)
• Nucleus (contains DNA)
• Cytoplasm (fills cells and contains nutrients)
• Ribosomes (synthesises proteins)
• Mitochondria (powers the cell through respiration)

Plants, unlike most animals, do not have a skeleton so most of their additional features enable them to withstand gravity! Plant cells also have:

• Cell walls (for stability)
• Vacuoles and cell sap (for rigidity)
• Chloroplasts (for photosynthesis)