logo
AAT Bioquest

What organelles does a plant cell have but an animal cell doesn't?

Posted November 21, 2022


Answer

A plant cell has a cell wall, chloroplasts and other specialized plastids, and a large central vacuole, which are not found in animal cells. The cell wall is a tough, rigid outermost covering that envelopes the cell membrane. Mainly composed of cellulose, a polysaccharide made up of glucose units, the cell wall provides the cell with protection and structural support, and gives the cell its shape. Chloroplasts are plant organelles that have their own DNA and ribosomes, as well as a green pigment called chlorophyll. Chloroplasts are specialized to carry out photosynthesis, a series of reactions that generate glucose and oxygen from carbon dioxide, water, and light energy captured by chlorophyll. The large central vacuole is responsible for regulating the concentration of water in the cell to adapt to its changing environmental conditions. This also influences the shape of the cell and the overall appearance of the plant. 

Additional resources

The Plant Cell Wall

Cell Structures and Organelles

MycoLight™ Rapid Fluorescence Bacterial Gram Stain Kit