Animal vs Plant Cells & Organelles ✏ Biology In a Nutshell

Rucete ✏ Biology In a Nutshell

1. What are Organelles?

Organelles are specialized structures within a cell that perform unique functions necessary for cellular life.

2. Organelles in Prokaryotic vs. Eukaryotic Cells

 

Organelle	Prokaryotes	Animal Cells	Plant Cells	Function
Cell Wall	✅	❌	✅	Provides protection and structural support.
Plasma Membrane	✅	✅	✅	Selective barrier made of phospholipids, proteins, and carbohydrates.
Nucleus	❌	✅	✅	Controls cell activities, including DNA replication and transcription.
Ribosome	✅ (70S)	✅ (80S)	✅ (80S)	Synthesizes proteins; assembled in the nucleolus.
Smooth ER	❌	✅	✅	Synthesizes lipids, detoxifies chemicals, and metabolizes carbohydrates. Lacks ribosomes.
Rough ER	❌	✅	✅	Produces proteins for secretion or the plasma membrane. Has ribosomes attached.
Golgi Apparatus	❌	✅	✅	Modifies and packages proteins and lipids for transport.
Mitochondria	❌	✅	✅	Powerhouse of the cell, generates ATP via cellular respiration.
Lysosome	❌	✅	✅ (Less common)	Contains digestive enzymes that break down waste and cellular debris.
Peroxisome	❌	✅	✅	Breaks down fatty acids, amino acids, and hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂).
Chloroplast	❌	❌	✅	Performs photosynthesis, converting sunlight into chemical energy.
Microtubules	❌	✅	✅	Made of tubulin, providing support and motility; plays a role in cell division.
Intermediate Filaments	❌	✅	✅	Helps maintain cell shape and provides structural support.
Microfilaments	❌	✅	✅	Made of actin, involved in cell movement and shape changes.
Flagella & Cilia	❌	✅	❌	Enable wavelike movement; made of microtubules in a 9+2 structure.
Centrioles	❌	✅	❌	Organizes microtubules for cell division.
Vacuole	❌	Small	Large	Stores water, nutrients, and waste; large central vacuole in plants provides structural support.

3. Differences Between Animal and Plant Cells

Feature	Animal Cell	Plant Cell
Cell Wall	❌	✅ (Provides structure)
Chloroplasts	❌	✅ (Photosynthesis)
Vacuole	Small	Large (Central Vacuole)
Centrioles	✅	❌
Lysosomes	✅	✅ (Less common)

4. In a nutshell

• Nucleus = Control Center
• ER (Rough & Smooth) = Protein & Lipid Factory
• Golgi Apparatus = Packaging & Shipping
• Mitochondria = ATP Energy Generator
• Lysosome = Cellular Garbage Disposal