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Animal cells and plant cells are similar in that they are both eukaryotic cells. These
cells have a true nucleus, which houses DNA and is separated from other cellular structures by
a nuclear membrane. Animal and plant cells have some of the same cell components in
common including a nucleus, Golgi apparatus, endoplasmic reticulum, ribosomes, mitochondria,
peroxisomes, lysosomes, cytoskeleton, and cell membrane or plasma membrane. While animal
and plant cells have many common characteristics, they are also different. For example, animal
cells do not have a cell wall or chloroplasts but plant cells do. Animal cells are mostly
round and irregular in shape while plant cells have fixed rectangular shapes. Below are the
corresponding parts and functions of the cell components.

Cell membrane or Plasma membrane

Controls the movement of substances into and out of the cell and a barrier for cell contents.
 Consist of double phospholipid layer (Hydrophilic heads and Hydrophobic tails)
Also contains protein, cholesterol, and glycoproteins
Cytoplasm

 Jelly-like substance, where chemical reactions happen

 It is the material outside the nucleus and inside the plasma membrane
Nucleus
Carries genetic information and controls what happens inside the cell.
The cell nucleus is a membrane-bound structure that contains the cell’s hereditary
information and controls the cell’s growth and reproduction.
Nuclear membrane or Nuclear envelope
It is a double-layered structure that encloses the contents of the nucleus. The outer layer of
the membrane is connected to the endoplasmic reticulum.
Consists of phospholipids that form a lipid bilayer.
Helps to maintain the shape of the nucleus and assists in regulating the flow of molecules
into and out of the nucleus through nuclear pores.
Nuclear pores
It is the sites for the exchange of large molecules (proteins and RNA) between the nucleus
and cytoplasm.
Nucleoplasm

The gelatinous substance within the nuclear envelope.

Also called karyoplasm, this semi-aqueous material is similar to the cytoplasm and is
composed mainly of water with dissolved salts, enzymes, and organic molecules suspended
within.
Supports the nucleus by helping to maintain its shape. Additionally, nucleoplasm provides a
medium by which materials, such as enzymes and nucleotides (DNA and RNA subunits),
 can be transported throughout the nucleus. Substances are exchanged between the
cytoplasm and nucleoplasm through nuclear pores.
Nucleolus
Contained within the nucleus is a dense, membrane-less structure composed of RNA and
proteins.
It contains nucleolar organizers, which are parts of chromosomes with the genes for
ribosome synthesis on them.
Helps to synthesize ribosomes by transcribing and assembling ribosomal RNA subunits.
These subunits join together to form a ribosome during protein synthesis.
It disappears when a cell undergoes division and is reformed after the completion of cell
division.
Mitochondria
Where most respiration reactions happen
“Powerhouses” of the cell
Change shape continuously
Carry out reactions where oxygen is used to break down food
Provides ATP for cellular energy
Ribosomes

Made of protein and RNA

Sites of protein synthesis
Found at two locations (free in the cytoplasm and attached to rough endoplasmic reticulum)
Endoplasmic reticulum (ER)

Fluid-filled tubules for carrying substances

Two types of ER:
Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum
Studded with ribosomes
Site where building materials of cellular membrane are formed
Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum
Functions in cholesterol synthesis and breakdown, fat metabolism, and
detoxification of drugs
Golgi apparatus
Modifies and packages proteins
Produces different types of packages
-Secretory vesicles
-Cell membrane components
-Lysosomes

Lysosomes

Contain enzymes that digest non-usable materials within the cell

Peroxisomes
Membranous sacs of oxidase enzymes
-Detoxify harmful substances
-Break down free radicals (highly reactive chemicals)
Replicate by pinching in half
Centrioles

Rod-shaped bodies made of microtubules

Direct formation of mitotic spindle during cell division
Cytoskeleton
Network of protein structures that extend throughout the cytoplasm
Provides the cell with an internal framework
Three different types:
-Microfilaments
-Intermediate filaments
-Microtubules

Cellular Projections
Not found in all cells
Used for movement
-Cilia moves materials across the cell surface
-Flagellum propels the cell

Chloroplast

A type of plastid (a saclike organelle with a double membrane) that serves as the site of
photosynthesis, the process by which energy from the Sun is converted into chemical
energy for growth.
Contain the pigment chlorophyll to absorb light energy.
Vacuole
Contains a liquid called cell sap, which keeps the cell firm.
Cell wall
Made of a tough substance called cellulose, which supports the cell

Plasmodesmata (singular, plasmodesma)

 Small channels that directly connect the cytoplasm of neighboring plant cells to each other,
establishing living bridges between cells.
 Similar to the gap junctions found in animal cells, the plasmodesmata, which penetrate both
the primary and secondary cell walls
 Allows certain molecules to pass directly from one cell to another and are important in
cellular communication.