Animal cells and plant cells

• Sub-cellular structures are things found in a cell. An animal cell contains the following sub-cellular structures:

  • Cell membrane
  • Nucleus
  • Ribosomes
  • Mitochondria
  • Cytoplasm
• The cell membrane separates the interior (inside) of the cell from the environment outside.
• the cell membrane is selectively permeable. This means that it has control over which substances enter and exit the cell.
• The nucleus contains chromosomes (which contain the cell's genetic material DNA)
• Ribosomes are responsible for synthesising (making) proteins.
• • Mitochondria is where aerobic respiration takes place. Aerobic respiration is a process which uses glucose and oxygen to release energy.
• Cytoplasm is a jelly-like fluid that fills the cell.It is where most of the cell’s chemical reactions take place.
• Common types of animal cells

  • Blood Cells
  • Nerve Cells
  • Fat Cells
  • Skin cells
  • Muscle cells
• As well as the sub-cellular structures that animal cells have, a typical plant cell has a few more:

  • Permanent vacuole
  • Chloroplasts
  • Cell wall
• A permanent vacuole is a fluid-filled sac that stores water.
• the permanent vacuole is enclosed in a membrane (a wall that substances can pass through).
• the permanent vacuole can make up as much as 90% of a plant cell’s volume.
• Chloroplasts contain chlorophyll, which is needed for the process of photosynthesis.
• The cell wall surrounds the cell and is made of cellulose.
• The cell wall increases the structural strength of the cell.
• When cells differentiate, they acquire different sub-cellular structures. Cell differentiation can happen at different stages of development in plants and animals.
• Plants

  • Many plant cells can differentiate throughout their lives.
  • This means that plants are always able to create new tissues.
• Animals

  • Most animal cells differentiate early on in their development.
  • In mature animals, cells mostly divide (one cell splits to create two cells) to replace cells and repair tissues that are already present.
  • New tissues are rarely created by cell differentiation.