PLANT VS. ANIMAL CELLS

=Comparison of Plant & Animal Cells= [image:http://i.imgur.com/tweuQoW.png?1] ==Plant Cells== [image:http://i.imgur.com/ylTV6W7.jpg?4] Plant cells are surrounded by a tough cell wall made of cellulose. The cell wall helps plant cells to maintain their shape and limits their volume to the cells don't burst when they absorb water. Plant cells are not necessarily square, but they due tend to have distinct edges and be somewhat rectangular. This structure is caused by the cell wall which is very rigid and therefore forces the cell to have a defined shape. Plant cells also contain chloroplasts. Chloroplasts are small green, bean shaped organelles and are the site of photosynthesis, allowing the the pant to convert light (radiant) energy into chemical potential energy. Plant often have a large central vacuole that stores water and salts (it contains an aqueous solution of ions). The function of the vacuole is to regulate the movement of water into the cell. It also plays an important role in growth, regulating pH within the cell, storage and the removal of waste. Plant cells do not have centrioles. ==Animal Cells== [image:http://i.imgur.com/aa1sRu9.jpg?2] Animal cells have an irregular shape in comparison to plant cells. Some animal cells alter their shape depending on the purpose (e.g. phagocytes). Animal cells have many of the same organelles as plant cells but also have centrioles. ==Summary:== [image:http://i.imgur.com/KcgVp6M.png?1]