Comparison between Animal and Plant cell

By: Prof. Dr. Fazal Rehman Shamil | Last updated: February 3, 2024

Let me share with you a comparison between Animal and Plant cell.

CharacteristicAnimal CellPlant Cell
Cell WallAbsentPresent (made of cellulose)
Cell MembranePresentPresent
ChloroplastsAbsentPresent
Nucleus LocationGenerally centrally located within the cell.Often located at the cell periphery due to the large central vacuole.
VacuoleSmall or absentLarge central vacuole for storage and support
PlastidsAbsent·        Chloroplasts

·        Amyloplasts

·        Chromoplasts

ShapeUsually round or irregularOften rectangular or angular
LysosomesPresentRarely present
CentriolesPresentAbsent
Cytokinesis throughTypically involves cleavage furrowInvolves cell plate formation
Storage of StarchRarely stores starchCommonly stores starch in amyloplasts
MitochondriaPresentPresent but fewer in number than animal cell
Cytoplasmic StreamingCommonUncommon
Microtubule OrganizationRadial arrays from centrosomeRandom orientation
PeroxisomesCommonly presentOften present
Contractile VacuolesPresent in some animal cells.Absent
GlyoxysomesAbsentPresent
PlasmodesmataAbsentPresent for cell-cell communication.