ICSE 9| BIOLOGY | CELL-THE UNIT OF LIFE | CHAPTER 2 | PART 3 l Difference Plant and Animal cells| |Prokaryotes and Eukaryotes | Cell -Functional units of living organisms Difference between Plant and Animal Cells Plant Cells: Cell Wall: A rigid outer layer made of cellulose that provides support and shape. Chloroplasts: Organelles where photosynthesis takes place. Large Central Vacuole: A large, fluid-filled sac that helps maintain turgor pressure, water balance, and stores nutrients. Shape: Often rectangular due to the cell wall. Centrioles and Lysosomes: Absent. Plastids: May have other types of plastids for storage, etc. Animal Cells: Plasma Membrane: The outer boundary of the cell, providing flexibility and allowing for various shapes. No Chloroplasts: Lack the organelles needed for photosynthesis. Smaller Vacuoles: If present, they are much smaller than in plant cells. Shape: Can be various shapes, including round or irregular. Centrioles and Lysosomes: Present in most animal cells. No Cell Wall: Lacks the rigid outer layer found in plant cells. Difference between Prokaryotes and Eukaryotes Nucleus: Prokaryotes do not have a nucleus, meaning their DNA is not enclosed within a membrane-bound organelle. Eukaryotes, on the other hand, possess a nucleus that houses their DNA. Organelles: Prokaryotes lack membrane-bound organelles like mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum, or Golgi apparatus. Eukaryotes have these organelles, which perform specialized functions. Cell Size: Eukaryotic cells are generally larger and more complex than prokaryotic cells. Complexity: Eukaryotic cells are more complex in their structure and organization than prokaryotic cells. Unicellular vs. Multicellular: While both can exist as unicellular organisms, prokaryotes are primarily unicellular, whereas eukaryotes can be both unicellular (e.g., some protists) and multicellular (e.g., plants, animals, fungi). DNA: In prokaryotes, the DNA is a single, circular chromosome located in the nucleoid region of the cytoplasm. Eukaryotic DNA is organized into multiple linear chromosomes within the nucleus. Examples: Prokaryotes include bacteria and archaea. Eukaryotes include protists, plants, animals, and fungi. In summary, the presence or absence of a nucleus and membrane-bound organelles is the key distinguishing feature between prokaryotes and eukaryotes. • ICSE 9| BIOLOGY | CELL-THE FUNDAMENT... • ICSE CLASS 9 PHYSICS • ICSE GEOGRAPHY • Biology Class 9 ICSE • Chemistry Class 10 ICSE • Biology Class 10 ICSE • Science NCERT Class10 • Science NCERT Class10 • Biology Class 8 ICSE • ICSE HISTORY • Chemistry Class 8 ICSE