PLANT / ANIMAL
CELL PARTS | DESCRIPTION | EXPLANATION |
| Cell Membrane | It has a living, flexible and thin structure. It possesses fine pores, making it semi-permeable. It is chiefly composed of lipo-proteins. | The cell membrane is also known as the plasma membrane. It is the outermost covering of the animal cell. It protects the cell and regulates the entry and exit of substances, namely ions and solutes. |
| Cell Wall | It has a non-living, rigid structure. It is freely permeable and is chiefly composed of cellulose. | The cell wall is the outermost covering of the plant cell made up of cellulose, and surrounds the cell membrane. It protects the cell, provides mechanical support and is responsible for maintaining pressure inside the cell. |
| Centrosome | It contains one or two centrioles, and is surrounded by microtubules or the centrosphere. It is situated near the nucleus. | The centrosome of the animal cell contains one or two centrioles, and is surrounded by microtubules or the centrosphere. It initiates and regulates cell division. |
| Chloroplast | It is a green-colored plastid. It contains a pigment called chlorophyll. | The chloroplast of the plant cell is a green-colored plastid. Chlorophyll contained in the chloroplast captures energy from sunlight and helps in the manufacture of food by the process of photosynthesis. |
| Chromoplast | It is a plastid that is colored differently in different cells. It contains pigments such as xanthophyll (yellow in color) and carotene (orangish-red in color). | The chromoplast of the plant cell is a plastid that is colored differently in different cells. It contains pigments such as xanthophyll (yellow in color) and carotene (orangish-red in color). It imparts color to flowers and fruits of plants. |
| Cytoplasm | It contains most of the cell organelles. It is composed of a mixture of water and soluble organic & inorganic compounds. | The cytoplasm is composed of a mixture of water and soluble organic & inorganic compounds, and contains most of the cell organelles. It is the house of all metabolic functions and activities of the animal cell. |
| Golgi Apparatus | It is made up of stacks of flattened membranous sacs. It mainly consists of vesicles, vacuoles and tubules. | The golgi apparatus of the animal cell consists of flat vesicular structures placed one on top of the other. It synthesizes and secretes certain substances, namely hormones and enzymes. |
| Leucoplast | It is a colorless plastid. It contains starch. | The leucoplast of the plant cell is a colorless plastid. It helps in the storage of starch. |
| Lysosome | It is a membranous sac budded off from the golgi apparatus. It contains several types of enzymes. | The lysosome of the animal cell is a membranous sac budded off from the golgi apparatus, and contains several types of enzymes. It performs intracellular digestion and destroys foreign substances. |
| Mitochondrion | It has a double-walled structure. Its inner wall is produced into folds known as cristae. It is generally sausage-shaped. | The mitochondrion of the cell has two layers of membrane, of which the inner one is folded to form cristae. It is the site of ATP (Adenosine triphosphate) synthesis. |
| Nuclear Membrane | It has numerous pores, making it semi-permeable. It is the covering of the nucleus of the cell. | The nuclear membrane is the covering of the nucleus of the cell, and has numerous pores. It allows substances to enter and leave. |
| Nucleolus | It is round in shape. It is contained in the nucleus of the cell. | The nucleolus is contained in the nucleus of the cell, and is round in shape. It synthesizes proteins by producing and storing RNA (Ribonucleic acid). |
| Nucleoplasm | It is chiefly composed of a dense fluid. It contains chromatin fibres, which are made up of DNA (Deoxyribonucleic acid). | The nucleoplasm is a dense fluid containing chromatin fibres, which are made up of DNA (Deoxyribonucleic acid). After cell division takes place, these chromatin fibres undergo certain structural changes, and are called chromosomes. These chromosomes carry the hereditary information of the genes. |
| Nucleus | It is the largest cell organelle. It has a dense structure. It is spherical in shape. | The nucleus is the most important part of the cell, and contains large amounts of DNA (Deoxyribonucleic acid). It controls and coordinates all the activities and functions of the cell. |
| Ribosome | It has a small, dense and granular structure. It is spherical in shape and is single-walled. | The ribosome is chiefly composed of RNA (Ribonucleic acid). It synthesizes proteins. |
| Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum | It consists of an irregular network of double-walled tubular membrane. It has ribosomes attached to it. | The rough endoplasmic reticulum consists of tubular structures (convulated tubules) lying near the nucleus and has ribosomes attached to it. It provides support to the cell. |
| Secretory Granule | It has a vesicular structure. It is formed when the substances produced in the endoplasmic reticulum are further processed in the golgi apparatus. | The secretory granule is a vesicular structure. It is formed when the substances produced in the endoplasmic reticulum are further processed in the golgi apparatus of the animal cell. |
| Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum | It consists of an irregular network of double-walled tubular membrane. It does not have ribosomes attached to it. | The smooth endoplasmic reticulum consists of tubular structures (convulated tubules) lying near the nucleus and does not have ribosomes attached to it. It provides support to the animal cell. |
| Vacuole | It is a clear space filled with water or other substances in the form of solutions. It has a covering called tonoplast. | The vacuole of the plant cell is a very large and abundant vesicle. It is filled with fluids, and helps in the storage of water and other substances. |
