Animal cells and plants cells have many similarities and differences. Some similarities between both the cells is that they both contain a nucleus, which holds the DNA. It is also the control center of each cell. Another similarity is that they both contain a vacuoles. The purpose of the vacuole is to store food or waste. They also both have a cytoskeleton maintains the cell shape, helps move things around in the cell, and moves the cell itself around. Both the animal cells and plant cells have ribosomes to synthesize proteins. They both contain lysosomes to break down and recycle macromolecules, though it is rare for plant cells to have them. Another similarity is that they both have endoplasmic reticulum and both cells use it to assemble proteins and lipids. They both contain golgi apparatus which modifies, sorts, and packages proteins and lipids for storage or transport out of the cell. Both cells contain the very important mitochondria that converts the chemical energy in food to useful compounds. The last thing they share in common is that they both have a cell membrane that regulates materials entering and exiting the cell. Another function the cell membrane has is that it protects and supports the cell.
A difference between an animal cell and a plant cell is that a plant cell has a cell wall. A cell wall are important to plant cells because they are the support and protection of the plant cell so that it can grow upright. It is what keeps it ridged. Another difference is the shape of the cells. A plant cell has a rectangular shape to it while an animal has an irregular shape. The purpose of the plant cell shape it to keep it ridge so they can stack on top of each other to grow upright. While the animal cells are irregular for many reasons. One reason is that so red blood cells can slip through veins and other body parts with ease. Another difference is the size of the vacuole. The plant cell is much bigger because it uses photosynthesis to create food and, therefore, need more room to store food.
