Are Animal Cells Isotonic in Distilled Water
Glen is a professional writer and illustrator from Cape Cod who writes on an array of subjects including science, history, music, and more.
What Are Cells?
Cells have often been referred to as "the building blocks of life," and indeed they are.
All forms of life, from simple bacteria to human beings, are made up of cells. What is remarkable is that, despite their differences in appearance, plant and animal life are made up of cells that are the same in most respects.
In both animals and plants, cells generally become specialized to perform certain functions. Nerve cells, bone cells and liver cells, for example, all develop in ways that enable them to better perform their specific duties.
The most important structures of plant and animal cells are shown in the diagrams below, which provide a clear illustration of how much these cells have in common. The significant differences between plant and animal cells are also shown, and the diagrams are followed by more in-depth information.
![Diagram of an animal cell.](https://images.saymedia-content.com/.image/c_limit%2Ccs_srgb%2Cfl_progressive%2Cq_auto:eco%2Cw_700/MTc0NjQxNjQyMDkzOTQ2ODcw/plant-cells-vs-animal-cells-with-diagrams.jpg)
Diagram of an animal cell.
Doc Sonic
![Diagram of an plant cell.](https://images.saymedia-content.com/.image/c_limit%2Ccs_srgb%2Cfl_progressive%2Cq_auto:eco%2Cw_700/MTc0NjQxNjQyMDk0MDc3OTQy/plant-cells-vs-animal-cells-with-diagrams.jpg)
Diagram of an plant cell.
Doc Sonic
What Are the Differences Between Plant and Animal Cells?
Plant cells have to perform two functions that are not required of animal cells:
- Produce their own food (which they do in a process called photosynthesis).
- Support their own weight (which animals usually do by means of a skeleton).
The structures possessed by plant cells for performing these two functions create the primary differences between plant and animals cells. These structures are:
Structures Unique to Plant Cells
- Cell Wall: A wall on the outside of the membrane, which, in combination with the vacuole (as described below), helps the plant cell maintain its shape and rigidity.
- Plastids: Used in photosynthesis to convert sunlight, carbon dioxide, and water into food. The most well-known plastids are chloroplasts, which contain the chlorophyll that gives many plants their green hue.
- Large Vacuole: While animal cells may have many tiny vacuoles, a plant cell usually has a single large vacuole, which serves as a storage tank for food, water, waste products, and other materials. The vacuole has an important structural function, as well. When filled with water, the vacuole exerts internal pressure against the cell wall, which helps keep the cell rigid. A plant that is wilting has vacuoles that are no longer filled with water.
While animal cells do not have a cell wall, chloroplasts, or a large vacuole, they do have one component plant cells do not. This is:
Structures Unique to Animal Cells
- Centrioles: Animal cells contain organelles known as centrioles, which are not present in plant cells. Centrioles help move chromosomes during cell division. Since animal cells are softer than plant cells, centrioles are required to ensure the chromosomes are in the proper location when the cell divides. Plant cells, with their more fixed shape, can safely assume that the chromosomes are correctly positioned.
Comparing the Components Plant and Animal Cells
Animal Cell | Plant Cell |
---|---|
X | Cell Wall |
Membrane | Membrane |
Cytoplasm | Cytoplasm |
Endoplasmic Reticulum | Endoplasmic Reticulum |
Nucleus | Nucleus |
Ribosomes | Ribosomes |
Centrioles | X |
Mitochondria | Mitochondria |
Golgi Bodies | Golgi Bodies |
Vacuole | Vacuole |
X | Chloroplast |
What Are the Similarities Between Plant and Animal Cells?
Both plant cells and animal cells are Eukaryotic cells. These are cells that contain a well-defined nucleus and in which the other organelles are held together by membranes.
What Is an Organelle?
An organelle is any specialized structure that is contained within a cell. Organelles perform various functions to keep the cell alive.
Organelles that can be found in both plant and animal cells include the following:
Similarities Between Plant and Animal Cells
Organelle | Function |
---|---|
Cell Membrane | A selectively permeable wall that surrounds and protects the contents of the cell. |
Cytoplasm | The fluid which fills the cell and keeps the organelles in place. |
Nucleus | The command center of the cell that controls the various processes of the cell. The nucleus also contains most of the cell's genetic material. |
Mitochondria | The powerhouse of the cell. Here, food is converted into energy. |
Ribosomes | Ribosomes generate proteins from amino acids. |
Endoplasmic Reticulum | A series of sacs and tubes used to process substances and transport them to golgi bodies for further distribution. |
Golgi Bodies | Golgi bodies process and transfer substances to the correct location. They are also responsible for excreting waste from the cell. |
Vacuoles | Sacs that serve as storage units. |
Why Do Plant and Animal Cells Have so Much in Common?
As hard as it may be to imagine, biologists believe that at an early point in the evolution of life on Earth, plants and animals once shared a common ancestor. All life on Earth, it seems, is truly related.
Read More From Owlcation
Plant Cells vs. Animal Cells: Compare and Contrast (Video)
References
- Wallace, Holly. Cells And Systems. Chicago: Heinemann Library, 2006.
- Phenlan, Jay. What Is Life? A Guide to Biology. New York: W.H. Freeman and Company, 2010.
- Exams India. Differences Between Plant and Animal | Cell Procaryotic and Eucaryotic Cell 2012.
© 2012 Glen Nunes
I am cat on April 14, 2020:
That author picture...
My science on March 31, 2020:
This is very amazing.I love science
London bridge is falling down my fair lady on March 11, 2020:
Owlcation is a useful tool indeed (website) for science and also owlcation can you teach us math, English, social studies I'm officially a subscriber
lilratboi on March 06, 2020:
Very helpful I will not be failing science today
leen on February 28, 2020:
i ate 4 cheps and now i cant dore rite
hgvhjv on February 26, 2020:
What the heck!?
ghhyjyt on February 26, 2020:
Guys here are the answers:
plant cell
1. produce their own food
2. support their own weight
3. cell wall
4. chloroplast
animal cell
1. centroiles
(thats all I have sorry)
both
1. eukaryotic
2. cell membrane
3. cytoplasm
4. nucleus
5. mitochondria
6. ribosomes
7. EK
Name on February 24, 2020:
these comments doe
DADDY SCIENCE on February 19, 2020:
YUM I LOVE SCIENCE
Richard Noggin on February 19, 2020:
I eat Bugs
cells on February 11, 2020:
This is helpful for class work :)
Abdiqani qumane on January 15, 2020:
Thanks
matts hairline on January 10, 2020:
food love to eat healthy
AND I OPP- on December 17, 2019:
SKSKSKSKSKSKSKSKSSKSKSurmomgaySKSKSKS
stan bts cowards on December 16, 2019:
i am confusion
why am i here on December 09, 2019:
sorry for the first comment, but i love this kind of stuff.
why am i here on December 09, 2019:
why am i here
Yeeeeeeeet on November 27, 2019:
So what is the difference between the both the ribosomes in the plant and animal cells
text is wrong farts on November 26, 2019:
what is the definition for the cell wall and chloroplast
I_LOVE_WARRIOR_CATS on November 11, 2019:
Very good source of information to answer questions that you might have or need answered.
ari on November 08, 2019:
awsomee
Science Nerd on November 07, 2019:
Very very very very good source
Yeet on November 07, 2019:
This was very VERY helpful for my homework!
Stop on November 07, 2019:
Stop putting random chat that has nothing to do with the website
person... on November 07, 2019:
I loved this article it was very useful
ERIKA on November 07, 2019:
This plant cell and animal cell is the best to read such fun
BIG NOOB on November 06, 2019:
It the great read article thi yes
What UP PEASANTS on November 06, 2019:
hello shout out to all my weebs
Coolshark360 on November 06, 2019:
WOW this is awesome
Coolshark360 on November 01, 2019:
Awesome
joe on November 01, 2019:
hey joe
g on October 30, 2019:
helpful
? on October 30, 2019:
Not helpful i asked the diffrence but only simularities
-oop on October 29, 2019:
Hello
Someone on October 29, 2019:
Hey you all forgot to put nucleolus, lysosomes and chromatin!
suka2 ma on October 22, 2019:
diem
Everyone below me is gay on October 17, 2019:
good information but everyone below me, are probably the type of people to slam a revolving door
Richa Singh on October 10, 2019:
Thanks
Richa Singh on October 10, 2019:
Hello
ETP445 on October 10, 2019:
uh oh, funny, stinky. Haha! Poopy
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOF on October 10, 2019:
Very valiable info check it out if you read this thanks
pi on October 08, 2019:
hello
yo mam on October 03, 2019:
heck yea
Antonio on September 25, 2019:
Great video, has alot of information Antonio
Johnny on September 24, 2019:
Hey Glen, can you help me with my plant Cell project please?
Unknown on September 24, 2019:
Thanks for helping me on my assignment! BTW, your site tottaly ROCKS
Vivek on September 15, 2019:
Thanks really i am very happy moja answer mill gayia
Thank you so much
Michell Sanchez on September 14, 2019:
I need imformation about stuff
no on September 04, 2019:
amazing
james on August 30, 2019:
good
maddawg on August 29, 2019:
your site trashxoxo
the on August 19, 2019:
aayyyeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
we like fortnite we like fortnite on August 14, 2019:
not important
MEMOS on August 14, 2019:
I guess it is good enough for now :l
Tarun Sahu on July 20, 2019:
From this we get many information about the plant and Animal cell thank you for this information
fuck on July 13, 2019:
good
wagwan g on June 28, 2019:
good
Trachelle on June 26, 2019:
This was very helpful
mohamed tholley on June 20, 2019:
i want you to make it big
jasmine on June 12, 2019:
this is really great helped me with my project alot! thanks and to those ppl commenting dumb and endgame stuff thats not even what this article is about and its not dumb you are
soja on May 02, 2019:
true
Swathika on April 03, 2019:
Fantastic
AX999 Aiden999 on March 26, 2019:
this is a very usefull site it helped alot with my work
Unknown on March 25, 2019:
good!! (:
a***y on March 25, 2019:
thx really good
AX999 Aiden999 on March 25, 2019:
cool
hola on March 18, 2019:
Thank you!
Anna on March 18, 2019:
Thanks!
hi on March 09, 2019:
this site was very helpful and CERTAIN PEOPLE should stop posting rude comments. thx :)
Will on February 21, 2019:
So helpful
~Skinny Legend~ on February 21, 2019:
Love this
~*Diamond Dog*~ on February 10, 2019:
This site was VERY helpful I was able to fill out my notes in a jiffy. It was also very easy to follow along with & I would definitely recommend to others. Also, don't listen to those Fortniters & haters they are just jealous they can't make a website this good.
~By the way, Fortnite sucks and is total trash you people that play are rotting your brains and you need to stop before it's too late.
Ridhai29 on February 10, 2019:
Very helpful site
Usman Gideon Simon on February 05, 2019:
very interesting
Bob on January 21, 2019:
Cool
Cadeboy13 on January 16, 2019:
this was helpful. I didn't even know centrioles existed!i also didn't know cell walls were unique to plant cells (ik i'm dumb). ok bai
Code tfue on January 16, 2019:
this was great better than that fortnight game
that i totally dont play
dsjfjasjkf on January 14, 2019:
Cool
Anonymous on December 20, 2018:
It was okay, but didn't answer any of my notes that they were said to go along with. State certified too.
+ on December 13, 2018:
I think it was okay, but there is an organelle that I have never seen before on my notes and it wasn't on here so :( but it's omay.
Person2al on December 04, 2018:
Great website to use
Anna on December 03, 2018:
Helpful
name on November 19, 2018:
like this
manny on November 19, 2018:
thanks for this
jh345045690 on November 19, 2018:
who made this site
isabell rivershin on November 14, 2018:
this well help me a lot
Lol boy on November 07, 2018:
Nice
fortnightgamer25 on November 07, 2018:
This is very helpful!
Ruby on November 06, 2018:
This really helped out with my project
YO GIRL!!!!!!! on November 02, 2018:
YES!!!!!SO GOOD!!!!XD
yo daddy 2 point o on November 02, 2018:
this was a great site to use
Student on November 02, 2018:
I only read a part if it but it seems like good information
yo daddy on November 01, 2018:
this was great
Rajveer on October 31, 2018:
thanks for helping us to do our homework
A Science Teacher on October 30, 2018:
I loved this! Used it for my students webquest! A lot of students pasted their quiz and enjoyed learning the differences between the two plant and animal cells. It was hard to find research online for cells. Thank you very much.
-Mrs. Dzubak]
may on October 29, 2018:
kind of confusing to me but it helps
mind your own biz on October 29, 2018:
helped so good
hussein on October 29, 2018:
thanks
Shazeb Malik on October 27, 2018:
Very important and helpful
JACK on October 24, 2018:
COOL
Are Animal Cells Isotonic in Distilled Water
Source: https://owlcation.com/stem/Plant-Cells-vs-Animal-Cells-With-Diagrams
0 Response to "Are Animal Cells Isotonic in Distilled Water"
Post a Comment