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There are two basic types of cells: plant and animal. All cells can be classified as one or the other. For the most part, they are very similar; however, there are a few important differences. Let's look at what they have in common first.
Plant and animal cells both have the following:
- a cell membrane (plasma membrane)
- a nucleus
- cytoplasm (a jellylike substance that fills the inside of a cell)
- organelles (special structures inside a cell that each perform a necessary activity)
Plant cells have the following:
- a cell wall
- chloroplasts (one type of organelle)
Look at the following diagram, and select the star to bring up the name and description of the particular organelle.
Both plant and animal cells are very complex, yet they are very similar when compared to each other. Look at the Venn diagram below to help you compare and contrast plant and animal cells.
Isn't it interesting that there is so much diversity among living things, yet if you look at their cells, they are all so similar? The only real difference between a human cell, a horse cell, and a chicken cell is the kind of genetic information found inside the cells' nuclei.
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