Question

part 2: animal versus plant cells
animal and plant cells have many similar organelles; however, some key differences allow these cells to perform their specialized functions more efficiently. in the table below, mark an x under the column for each organelle found in a plant and/or animal cell. if the organelle is found in both types of cells, place an x in both columns. then provide a brief statement about the function of that organelle.

organelle	plant cell (1 pt)	animal cell (1 pt)	function (2 pts)
cell wall
centrosome
chloroplast
cytoplasm
cytoskeleton
endoplasmic reticulum (er)
golgi apparatus
lysosome
mitochondrion
nucleus
ribosome
vacuole
vesicle

Explanation:

• Cell wall: Present in plant cells only. Provides structural support and protection. Mark X under Plant Cell column. Function: Gives rigidity and shape to the plant cell.
• Centrosome: Present in animal cells, helps in cell - division. Mark X under Animal Cell column. Function: Organizes microtubules during cell division.
• Chloroplast: Present in plant cells, site of photosynthesis. Mark X under Plant Cell column. Function: Converts light energy into chemical energy (sugar).
• Cytoplasm: Present in both. Mark X in both columns. Function: Holds organelles and is the site of many biochemical reactions.
• Cytoskeleton: Present in both. Mark X in both columns. Function: Provides cell shape, support and aids in movement.
• Endoplasmic reticulum (ER): Present in both. Mark X in both columns. Function: Involved in protein and lipid synthesis.
• Golgi apparatus: Present in both. Mark X in both columns. Function: Modifies, sorts and packages proteins and lipids.
• Lysosome: Present in animal cells. Mark X under Animal Cell column. Function: Breaks down waste materials and cellular debris.
• Mitochondrion: Present in both. Mark X in both columns. Function: Power - house of the cell, produces ATP.
• Nucleus: Present in both. Mark X in both columns. Function: Controls cell activities and contains genetic material.
• Ribosome: Present in both. Mark X in both columns. Function: Site of protein synthesis.
• Vacuole: Large in plant cells, small or absent in animal cells. Mark X under Plant Cell column (and potentially a small X under Animal Cell for small vacuoles in some animal cells). Function in plant cells: Stores water, nutrients and waste.
• Vesicle: Present in both. Mark X in both columns. Function: Transports materials within the cell.

Answer:

Organelle	Plant Cell	Animal Cell	Function
cell wall	X		Provides structural support and protection, gives rigidity and shape to the plant cell
centrosome		X	Organizes microtubules during cell division
chloroplast	X		Converts light energy into chemical energy (sugar)
cytoplasm	X	X	Holds organelles and is the site of many biochemical reactions
cytoskeleton	X	X	Provides cell shape, support and aids in movement
endoplasmic reticulum (ER)	X	X	Involved in protein and lipid synthesis
Golgi apparatus	X	X	Modifies, sorts and packages proteins and lipids
lysosome		X	Breaks down waste materials and cellular debris
mitochondrion	X	X	Power - house of the cell, produces ATP
nucleus	X	X	Controls cell activities and contains genetic material
ribosome	X	X	Site of protein synthesis
vacuole	X	(X)	Stores water, nutrients and waste (in plant cells)
vesicle	X	X	Transports materials within the cell