Plant and animal cells are both eukaryotic cells that contain organelles and a nucleus. While they share some similarities, like both having a cell membrane, cytoplasm, mitochondria and vacuoles, they also have key differences. Plant cells are typically rectangular in shape with a rigid cell wall, chloroplasts for photosynthesis, and a large central vacuole. In contrast, animal cells are usually spherical or irregular in shape without a cell wall, chloroplasts or rigid cell wall, obtaining nutrients by other means than photosynthesis.