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What are the differences between a plant cell and an animal cell?

Class 9 ScienceNCERT chapter: The Fundamental Unit of Lifeइसे हिंदी में पढ़ें

Exam-ready answer

Plant cells have a rigid cellulose cell wall, a large central vacuole, and chloroplasts for photosynthesis. Animal cells lack a cell wall and chloroplasts, have small vacuoles, and centrioles. Plant cells are generally rectangular; animal cells are irregular. Both have a cell membrane, nucleus, and cytoplasm.

Explanation

Plant cells are surrounded by a rigid cell wall made of cellulose, which gives shape and protection. Animal cells only have a flexible cell membrane. This is the most basic difference you must write in exams.

Plant cells contain chloroplasts with chlorophyll for photosynthesis, and a large central vacuole that maintains turgor pressure. Animal cells lack chloroplasts and have many small vacuoles. Centrioles are present only in animal cells and help in cell division.

In shape, plant cells are typically rectangular and fixed, while animal cells are round or irregular and can change shape. Both are eukaryotic cells with a true nucleus, mitochondria, and other organelles.

Points to remember

  1. Cell wall: Present in plant cells (cellulose), absent in animal cells.
  2. Chloroplast: Present in plant cells for photosynthesis, absent in animal cells.
  3. Vacuole: One large central vacuole in plant cells; many small vacuoles in animal cells.
  4. Centrioles: Present only in animal cells.
  5. Shape: Plant cells are rectangular; animal cells are irregular.

Exam tip

Draw a labelled diagram of both plant and animal cells to score full marks. Label at least cell wall, cell membrane, nucleus, vacuole, and chloroplast (in plant cell).

Questions students also ask

Why do plant cells have a cell wall?
The cell wall provides structural support, rigidity, and protection to the plant cell. It helps the plant stand upright and prevents bursting when excess water enters.
Do animal cells have chloroplasts?
No, animal cells do not have chloroplasts. Chloroplasts are present only in plant cells and some algae, where they carry out photosynthesis.
Which cell organelle is present only in animal cells?
Centrioles are present only in animal cells. They help in cell division by forming spindle fibres.

Chapter labels help you find the topic in your textbook. Check your own edition: chapter names and order can change. These are Know.it explanations, not official NCERT solutions.