Comparing the structure of a typical animal cell and a typical plant cell.

Authors Avatar

Alice Unwin

09/05/2007

Comparing the structure of a typical animal cell and a typical plant cell

Cells were discovered in 1665 when English scientist, Robert Hooke studied cork cells. Due to the lack of modern technology and quality microscopes, Hooke’s diagrams were not detailed. Hooke represented the cells as empty spaces or pores surrounded by a wall. However, this discovery led to the cell theory.

A CELL IS THE BASIC UNIT OF STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION OF AN ORGANISM.

All cells, whether plant or animal, have individual parts in order to carry out specific function within the organism. Not only this, but specific cells within the organisms have evolved in order to better carry out their specific tasks. For example, red blood cells have no nucleus in order to carry the maximum amount of oxygen around the body. Root hair cells have a large surface area in order to take in water via osmosis and nutrients via active transport.

In this essay, the fundamental similarities and differences between the structure of a typical animal cell and plant cell will be discussed, along with reasons behind these differences.

The structure of a typical animal Cell

The cell membrane is made up of a bilayer of phospholipids. These phospholipids, which have both a hydrophilic head and a hydrophobic tail, are tightly compact so that it is difficult for anything but small molecules to diffuse between them.  So in order for larger molecules to pass in and out of the cell there are transport proteins. However, if the molecule is too big to even pass through here, the cholesterol, suspended in the bilayer acts as messenger enzymes in order to pass a chemical message through the bilayer and into the cell. Another feature of the cell membrane are the carbohydrate markers, which allow the cell to be distinguished from any other cell or pathogen.

Join now!

The nucleus of an animal cell is made up of long chains of chromosomes bundled together to form quite a dense part of the cell. These chromosomes in the nucleus contain genetic information in order for the cell to reproduce and survive. Inside the nucleus is the nucleolus, this can be recognised within the nucleus as a denser object. The nucleolus, also made up of chromosomes, functions in RNA and ribosome synthesis. The nucleus is linked to the rest of the cell by the endoplasmic reticulum. The nuclear envelope, a double membrane, links with the ER in order to transport ...

This is a preview of the whole essay