Plant Cell vs Animal Cell: Differences & Similarities Explained (JAMB/WAEC Biology)
Plant cells and animal cells share the same basic structure but differ in a few key features: plant cells have a cell wall, chloroplasts, and a large central vacuole, while animal cells don’t.
This comparison is a regular JAMB and WAEC Biology question, usually asked as a table-completion or “state three differences” question. This lesson covers every major difference and similarity with clear examples.
Quick takeaways
- Plant cells have a cell wall, chloroplasts, and a large central vacuole; animal cells lack all three.
- Animal cells typically have a rounded, irregular shape; plant cells have a fixed, rectangular shape due to the cell wall.
- Both cell types share a nucleus, cell membrane, cytoplasm, mitochondria, ribosomes, and endoplasmic reticulum.
- Only plant cells (and some protists) can carry out photosynthesis, because only they contain chloroplasts.
- Exam questions often ask for differences in table form — practice writing your answer that way.
Timestamps
0:00 Introduction
0:14 Characteristics of Plant Cell
7:22 Characteristics of Animal Cell
10:27 Similarities and Differences Between Plant and Animal Cells
11:40 Summary
What structures do plant cells and animal cells have in common?
Both plant and animal cells are eukaryotic cells and share several core organelles:
- Nucleus – controls cell activities and holds genetic material
- Cell membrane – regulates movement of substances in and out of the cell
- Cytoplasm – where most metabolic activities take place
- Mitochondria – the site of respiration, releasing energy
- Ribosomes – the site of protein synthesis
- Endoplasmic reticulum – transports materials within the cell
These shared features exist because both cell types are performing the same basic life processes, just with some different specializations.
What are the key differences between plant and animal cells?
| Feature | Plant Cell | Animal Cell |
| Cell wall | Present (made of cellulose) | Absent |
| Chloroplasts | Present | Absent |
| Vacuole | Large, single, central | Small, multiple (if present) |
| Shape | Fixed, rectangular | Irregular, rounded |
| Centrioles | Usually absent | Present |
| Energy storage | Starch | Glycogen |
Why do only plant cells have chloroplasts?
Chloroplasts are the organelles where photosynthesis takes place – the process by which plants convert sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide into glucose and oxygen. Since plants make their own food this way and animals don’t, only plant cells (and photosynthetic organisms like algae) contain chloroplasts.
Animal cells instead obtain energy by consuming and breaking down food, which is why they rely entirely on mitochondria for energy release rather than chloroplasts for energy production.
Why does a plant cell have a fixed shape while an animal cell doesn’t?
The cell wall surrounding a plant cell is a rigid layer made of cellulose that provides structural support, giving the cell a fixed, box-like shape regardless of its surroundings.
Animal cells lack this rigid outer layer, so they’re bound only by the flexible cell membrane, allowing them to take on varied, irregular shapes suited to their specific function (such as the biconcave shape of a red blood cell).
Common mistakes students make with this topic
- Saying “plant cells have a cell membrane and animal cells don’t” – both have a cell membrane; only the cell wall is exclusive to plants
- Forgetting the vacuole difference (large and central in plants vs small and multiple in animals)
- Listing differences without organizing them clearly – a table-style answer scores better than a paragraph
- Assuming all plant-specific structures relate to photosynthesis, when the cell wall and vacuole are structural, not photosynthetic
Frequently asked questions
Q: What three structures are found in plant cells but not animal cells?
Plant cells contain a cell wall, chloroplasts, and a large central vacuole, none of which are present in animal cells.
Q: Do plant cells and animal cells both have mitochondria?
Yes, both plant and animal cells contain mitochondria, since both need to carry out respiration to release energy.
Q: Why do plant cells have a fixed shape but animal cells don’t?
Plant cells have a rigid cell wall made of cellulose that gives them a fixed shape, while animal cells only have a flexible cell membrane, allowing for varied, irregular shapes.
Q: Which organelle allows only plant cells to make their own food?
The chloroplast allows plant cells to carry out photosynthesis, enabling them to produce their own food using sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide.
This is one topic from our full WAEC & JAMB Biology course — see everything covered →
