difference between plant/animal cells

Question 1

Plant cells are larger than animal cells.

True or False? Explain your reasoning.

Answer 1

True!

This is because plant cells have 2 more organelles than animal cells (cell wall and chloroplasts).

Question 2

What is the function of chloroplasts? Are they found in plant or animal cells?

Answer 2

Found in plant cells, this is the organelle in which the process of photosynthesis (using energy from the sun) happens.

Question 3

Why do plants need chloroplasts and animals not need them?

Answer 3

Animals can eat other organisms to gain energy (from another organism), however plants need to gain energy from the sun because they can’t eat each other.

Question 4

What is a cell wall? Are they found in plant or animal cells?

Answer 4

Found in plant cells, this is a rigid outer layer encasing the entire cell, which protects it from being damaged.

Question 5

Why do plant cells need a cell wall, while animals cells do not need a cell wall?

Answer 5

Animals don’t need plant cells because they need to move around, and the cell wall would not allow animals to move. However, plants don’t need to go around walking, so they can have this extra layer of protection. Plant cells also can’t move around to protect themselves or shelter themselves, so they require this extra support.

Question 6

What are lysosomes? Are they found in plant or animal cells?

Answer 6

Found in animal cells, lysosomes have digestive enzymes (proteins that break down food) in them.