What is the difference between an animal cell and a plant cell?

It's easy to tell the difference between an animal cell and a plant cell when you look at it,because a plant cell has a rigid wall around it. This keeps the cell in the right shape. An animal cell looks a bit more like a fried egg - it does not have the wall so is more fluid.A plant cell has a hole in the middle which is filled with sap containing nutrients that the cell needs to grow. An animal cell does not have this.Finally, a plant cell has things called chloroplasts which contain something called chlorophyll, this helps the cell make its energy from light.Both cells share some similar features - they both have a nucleus, which controls the cell. They also both have mitochondria, which provide energy for the cell!

EO
Answered by Elizabeth O. Biology tutor

8907 Views

See similar Biology GCSE tutors

Related Biology GCSE answers

All answers ▸

Explain how a simple reflex works, you answer should include a) one type of receptor and the stimulus that the receptor detects. b) how information is passed from the receptor to the effector


Name three non-specific human defences against diseases


Mutations can occur in DNA. Describe what effect a mutation can have on the function of an enzyme.


Explain why your genes might influence how drugs work in the body. (3)


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2026 by IXL Learning