Difference between Plant and Animal Cells

Plant and animal cells are both eukaryotic cells. However, there are distinct differences between the cells found in plants and those found in animals.

The differences between the two types of cells can be seen with a light microscope.  Below is a list of the major differences:

ANIMAL CELLS	PLANT CELLS
Does not have a cell wall,  irregular in shape	Has a cell wall, regular in shape
No chloroplast present	Chloroplast present
Small temporary vacuoles or no vacuole	Large vacuoles located in the centre of the cell
Starch grains not present	Starch grains present
The nucleus is usually located centrally	Due to the central location of the vacuole, the nucleus of the cell may be located at the edge of the cell

TYPICAL ANIMAL CELL

Similarities between plant and animal cells:

-Both have a cell surface membrane that surrounds the cell.

-Both contain endoplasmic reticulum

-Both have cytoplasm

-Both contain ribosomes

-Both contain a nucleus

-Both contain mitochondria