This document provides an overview of the similarities and differences between animal and plant cells. It begins by defining cells as the basic functional units of living things. It then examines characteristics that can identify a cell as a plant or animal cell in images. The document goes on to define organelles and their functions in both plant and animal cells. It notes the key processes of diffusion, cellular respiration, and photosynthesis. It lists similarities between plant and animal cells like the nucleus, cytoplasm, and mitochondria. Finally, it outlines four main differences - plant cells have cell walls, chloroplasts, large vacuoles, and regular shapes while animal cells do not.

1. The Similarities and Differences of
Animal and Plant Cells
Created by
C. Rhein
Hazelwood CentralTeacher’s Page Forward

2. Cells
• Cells are the basic units of function in all
living things.
• Cells in animals and plants have unique
forms that allow each to take part in
processes that are necessary for the cell and
or/living thing to survive.
Let’s take a closer look at the
similarities and differences between
animal and plant cells.

3. Explain if this is a plant or animal cell.
Write down any characteristics to
support your decision.

4. Explain if this a plant or animal cell.
Write down any characteristics to
support your decision.

5. Plant Cell

6. Animal cell

7. Now that you have seen pictures of the
cells, exactly what are the organelles.
• What is an organelle?
• Organelles are to cells what organs are to
the body.
• They carry out the individual tasks of
gaining and working with energy, as well
as directing the overall behavior of the
cells.
• Let’s familiarize yourself with the
organelles of the animal and plant cell.

8. Organelles : Function :
Nucleus: Contains the DNA and RNA
and manufactures proteins
Nucleolus: In nuclei where ribosomes are
synthesized.
Nuclear Envelope: Membrane of lipids and
proteins that surrounds nucleus
Centrioles: structure that appears during
mitosis(cell division)
Mitochondria: Energy producers of the cell
Ribosomes: Produce proteins
More Organelles

9. Organelles Function
Golgi Bodies: Packages Proteins
Chloroplasts: Involved in photosynthesis
Vacuoles: Store waste, nutrients, and
water
Lysosome: Contains digestive
enzymes, mostly in animal
cells
Endoplasmic Reticulum: Passageway that
transports proteins from
the nucleus
Rough ER covered in ribosomes,
Smooth ER is not!

10. While not exactly organelles, the
following are important parts of
the cells:
• Cell membrane: Semi-permeable lining
that surrounds the cell
• Cell Wall: Is a stiff non-living
wall that surrounds the
cell membrane made of
cellulose
• Cytoplasm: Jelly-like material
surrounding the
organelles

11. There are a few important
processes in which the plant and
animal cell engages:
• Diffusion: How food, air, and
water gets in and out
of the cell.
• Cellular Respiration: How an animal cell
gets energy.
• Photosynthesis: How a plant cell gets
energy.

12. Animal and Plant cells have many
similarities. Can you write the
organelles and cell parts they both
have in common.

13. Similarities
• Both contain:
• Nucleus, Nuclear Envelope, Chromosomes-
which carry the genes or the DNA.
• Cytoplasm
• Mitochondria
• Cell membranes
• Any others?

14. Animal and plant cells are also
different. Can you explain four
reasons as to how plant cells are
different from animal cells?

15. Differences
• Plant cells have non-living rigid cell walls.
• Plant cells contain chloroplasts which
contain chlorophyll, a green chemical
needed for photosynthesis.
• Plant cells contain a large vacuole; animal
cells never contain large vacuoles.
• Plant cells are regular in shape; animal cells
are irregular in shape.
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