Plant vs. Animal Cells

Plant vs Animal Cells                                                Natalie White

Summery 

Plant and animals have many similarities such as the nucleus, however they also have many differences such as the cell wall. Both cells have the same job, to transport nutrients and break them down, provide support to the organism and control chemical reactions. Plant and animal cells have 3 main differences vacuole size, chloroplasts and a cell wall. The plant cell however is able to make and transport its own nutrients through the process of photosynthesis. Photosynthesis is the process of converting light, water and carbon dioxide into sugar the bi-product oxygen. This process is carried out by chloroplasts and chlorophyll which traps the sunlight. Animal cells however can not make their own food and must take in nutrients. Plant cells also contain a cell wall, made of cellulose which is located outside of the cell membrane and support the shape of the cell and also control what enters and exists the cell.  The plant cell vacuole is also bigger because it holds the nutrients needed in photosynthesis.

Organelles

Plant cells -

• The organelles in plants and animals are the same with the following exception
• Plant cells have no lysosomes or centrioles
• Plants have a CELL WALL - made out of cellulose - rigid and tough - square or rectangle - cell wall is outside of the plasma membrane - controls what goes in and out of the cell
• Plasma membrane takes on the same shape as the cell wall
• Discovered by Hooke
• The cell wall remains after the cell dies
• Plastids - store food and sometimes helps make food
• Chloroplasts - green color - carries out photosynthesis
• Chlorophyll which traps the sun’s energy
• Vacuoles in plants are much larger than in animals

Animal cell -

• Cell membrane
• Cytoplasm - streaming
• Nucleus - nucleus membrane - nucleus
• Endoplasmic reticulum - smooth and rough
• Mitocondria
• Vacuole
• Lysosomes - enzymes
• Golgi apparatus
• Centrioles

Samson, Stacey. "Plant Cell Vs Animal Cell | What's The Difference?". Difference Talk. N.p., 2017. Web. 14 Apr. 2017.

Reflection - I had learned a lot about plant and animal cells, the organelles and functions, from previous science classes however I did learn a little more depth into the photosynthesis process such as plastids and about the differences in rough and smooth endoplasmic reticulum. I like learning about plant and animal cells so I thoroughly enjoyed the unit.

Outside of Science - One way you can use your knowledge of plant and animal cells is in gardening because you know that the plant must have sunlight, water and air to survive and thrive.