A cell is the simplest structural element of an organism that is characteristic of both the animal and plant worlds. What does it consist of? The similarities and differences between cells of plant and animal origin, we consider below.
Plant cell
Everything that we have not seen and did not know before, always causes very strong interest. How often have you examined cells under a microscope? Probably not everyone saw him in the eye. The photo shows a plant cell. Its main parts are very clearly visible. So, a plant cell consists of a membrane, pores, membranes, cytoplasm, vacuole, nuclear membrane,
nucleus, nucleolus and plastid.
As you can see, the structure is not so tricky. Immediately pay attention to the similarities of plant and animal cells with respect to structure. Here we note the presence of vacuoles. In plant cells, it is single, and in the animal there are many small ones that perform the function of intracellular digestion. We also note that there is a fundamental similarity in the structure: membrane, cytoplasm, nucleus. The structure of the membranes, they also do not differ.
Animal cage
In the last paragraph, we noted the similarities of the plant and animal cells with respect to the structure, but they are not absolutely identical, they have differences. For example, an animal cell does not have a
cell wall. We also note the presence of organelles: mitochondria, the
endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus, lysosomes, ribosomes, and the cell center. A mandatory element is the nucleus, which controls all the functions of cells, including reproduction. We also noted this, considering the similarities between plant and animal cells.
Cell similarities
Despite the fact that in many respects the cells differ from each other, we mention the main similarities. Now it is impossible to say exactly when and how life appeared on earth. But now many kingdoms of living organisms coexist peacefully. Despite the fact that everyone leads a different lifestyle, have a different structure, no doubt there are many similarities. This suggests that all life on earth has one common ancestor. Here are the main
signs of similarity :
- cell structure;
- similarity of metabolic processes;
- information coding;
- the same chemical composition;
- identical division process.
As can be seen from the above list, the similarities between plant and animal cells are numerous, despite such a variety of life forms.
Cell differences. Table
Despite the large number of similarities, cells of animal and plant origin have many differences. For clarity, we present the table:
Features| Signs | Plant cell | Animal cage |
| Cellulose cell wall | + | - |
| Plastids | + | - |
| The main supply of carbohydrates | starch | glycogen |
| Cell center | - | + |
| Vacuole | One | Numerous |
| ATP synthesis | Chloroplasts, mitochondria | Mitochondria |
| Power way | Autotrophic | Heterotrophic |
The main difference is the way of eating. As can be seen from the table, the plant cell has an autotrophic method of nutrition, and the animal cell has a heterotrophic method. This is due to the fact that the plant cell contains chloroplasts, that is, the plants themselves synthesize all the substances necessary for survival, using light energy and photosynthesis. Under the heterotrophic method of nutrition refers to the ingestion of the necessary substances with food. These same substances are also a source of energy for the creature.
Note that there are exceptions, for example, green flagella, which are able to obtain the necessary substances in two ways. Since solar energy is necessary for the photosynthesis process, they use the autotrophic method of nutrition during daylight hours. At night, they are forced to use ready-made organic substances, that is, they feed on the heterotrophic method.