What parts make up animal and plant cells, and how are the two kinds of cell different?
Identify the parts of animal and plant cells, state the function of each part, and describe the differences between animal and plant cells
A simple, scaffolded answer to the N(A)-Level Biology outcome on cell structure. The parts of animal and plant cells, what each part does, and the differences between the two cell types, with a clear comparison table.
Reviewed by: AI editorial process; not yet individually human-reviewed
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What this dot point is asking
This outcome wants you to name the parts of an animal cell and a plant cell, give a short job for each part, and say clearly how the two kinds of cell differ. It is the foundation for the whole subject, because every later topic (transport, respiration, photosynthesis) happens inside these cells. You should be able to label a diagram and explain why a plant cell has extra parts that an animal cell does not.
The answer
The parts an animal cell and a plant cell share
Both animal and plant cells have these three parts:
- Cell membrane. A thin layer around the cell that controls what enters and leaves. It is partially permeable, meaning it lets some substances through but not others.
- Cytoplasm. A jelly-like substance that fills the cell. Most of the chemical reactions of the cell happen here.
- Nucleus. The control centre of the cell. It contains the genetic material (DNA) and controls all the cell's activities, including cell division.
The extra parts found only in plant cells
A plant cell has everything above, plus three extra structures:
- Cell wall. A tough outer layer made of cellulose. It gives the plant cell a fixed shape and support and stops it bursting when full of water. It is fully permeable, so it does not control what enters.
- Chloroplasts. Small green structures that contain the pigment chlorophyll. They trap light energy so the plant can make food by photosynthesis. They are found in the green parts of a plant, such as the leaf.
- Large permanent vacuole. A big sac in the middle of the cell filled with cell sap (a watery solution of sugars and salts). It stores substances and pushes outwards to keep the cell firm.
Animal cells in short
An animal cell has only a cell membrane, cytoplasm and a nucleus. It has no cell wall, so it does not have a fixed shape. It has no chloroplasts, so it cannot make its own food. It may have small temporary vacuoles, but not the large permanent one of a plant cell.
Examples in context
Example 1. Why a plant does not flop over. Each plant cell is held in shape by its cellulose cell wall, and the large vacuole pushes the cytoplasm against the wall to make the cell firm. Together these give the whole plant support, which is why a well-watered plant stands upright while a wilted one droops.
Example 2. Why your skin cannot photosynthesise. Your skin cells are animal cells with no chloroplasts, so they cannot trap light to make food. This is why animals, including humans, must eat other organisms for energy, while green plants make their own food in their chloroplasts.
Try this
Q1. State the function of the cell membrane. [1 mark]
- Cue. It controls which substances enter and leave the cell; it is partially permeable.
Q2. Give two differences between an animal cell and a plant cell. [2 marks]
- Cue. A plant cell has a cell wall and chloroplasts (and a large permanent vacuole); an animal cell has none of these and is more rounded in shape.
Q3. Explain why a root hair cell does not contain chloroplasts. [2 marks]
- Cue. Root cells are underground and receive no light, so chloroplasts would be useless; without light, photosynthesis cannot happen, so no chloroplasts are needed.
Exam-style practice questions
Practice questions written in the style of SEAB exam questions on this dot point, with worked answer explainers. The year tag is the paper they imitate, not the source.
Original4 marksThe diagram shows a plant cell. State the function of (a) the cell wall, (b) the chloroplast, (c) the vacuole, and (d) the nucleus.Show worked answer →
(a) The cell wall is made of cellulose and gives the cell a fixed shape and support, stopping it from bursting.
(b) The chloroplast contains chlorophyll and is where photosynthesis takes place to make food.
(c) The vacuole is a large sac filled with cell sap that stores water and dissolved substances and helps keep the cell firm.
(d) The nucleus controls the activities of the cell and contains the genetic material.
What markers reward: one correct job per part, in simple language. For the chloroplast they want chlorophyll or photosynthesis, and for the nucleus they want control or genetic material. A one-word label with no function does not score.
Original3 marksState three structures that are found in a plant cell but not in an animal cell.Show worked answer →
The three structures present in a plant cell but not in an animal cell are: the cell wall (made of cellulose), chloroplasts (containing chlorophyll), and a large permanent vacuole (filled with cell sap).
What markers reward: exactly these three structures. A small temporary vacuole can occur in animal cells, so the mark wants the word large or permanent for the plant vacuole. Naming the cell membrane or cytoplasm scores nothing here, because both cell types have them.
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