Animal and Plant Cells: The Building Blocks of Life

All living things around us, from tiny insects to big trees and even people, are made of tiny tiny parts called cells. You cannot see most cells without a special tool called a microscope because they are so small! Cells are the basic building blocks of all life.

Today, we will learn about two main types of cells: animal cells and plant cells.

Part 1: Animal Cells

Animal cells are the cells that make up animals, including us humans. They are usually round or have irregular shapes. Inside an animal cell, there are many small parts called organelles. Each organelle has a special job to do to keep the cell working.

Here are some important organelles found in animal cells:

1. Nucleus

• Looks like: A large, round part, usually found near the center of the cell.
• Job: This is the control center of the cell. It holds all the instructions (like a blueprint) for the cell and tells all the other parts what to do.
• Found in: Animal Cells and Plant Cells.

2. Cytoplasm

• Looks like: A jelly-like substance that fills the inside of the cell.
• Job: It holds all the other organelles in place, like jelly holding fruit pieces.
• Found in: Animal Cells and Plant Cells.

3. Cell Membrane

• Looks like: A thin, flexible layer that surrounds the outside of the cell.
• Job: It acts like a gatekeeper, controlling what goes in and out of the cell. It protects the cell.
• Found in: Animal Cells and Plant Cells.

4. Mitochondria

• Looks like: Small, oval-shaped parts with inner folds.
• Job: These are the powerhouses of the cell! They make energy for the cell to do all its work, like moving or growing.
• Found in: Animal Cells and Plant Cells.

5. Ribosomes

• Looks like: Very tiny dots, sometimes floating freely or attached to other parts.
• Job: These are like little factories that make proteins. Proteins are important building blocks and workers for the cell.
• Found in: Animal Cells and Plant Cells.

6. Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER)

• Looks like: A network of tubes and flattened sacs connected together.
• Job: It helps move proteins and other materials around inside the cell, like a transportation system.
• Found in: Animal Cells and Plant Cells.

7. Golgi Apparatus

• Looks like: Stacks of flattened sacs, often near the ER.
• Job: It takes the proteins and other materials, packages them up, and sends them to different places inside or outside the cell. Think of it like a post office.
• Found in: Animal Cells and Plant Cells.

8. Lysosomes

• Looks like: Small, round sacs.
• Job: These are the recycling and cleaning crew of the cell! They break down waste and old, worn-out cell parts.
• Found in: Mainly in Animal Cells.

Part 2: Plant Cells

Plant cells are the cells that make up plants, like grass, flowers, and trees. Plant cells have many of the same organelles as animal cells, but they also have some special parts that animal cells do not. These special parts help plants do important jobs, like making their own food!

Plant cells usually have a more fixed, rectangular or square shape compared to animal cells.

Organelles found in BOTH Animal and Plant Cells:

Plant cells also have these organelles, and they do the same jobs as in animal cells:

• Nucleus: Control center.
• Cytoplasm: Jelly-like fluid.
• Cell Membrane: Gatekeeper.
• Mitochondria: Energy makers.
• Ribosomes: Protein makers.
• Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER): Transport materials.
• Golgi Apparatus: Packages and sends materials.

Special Organelles found only in Plant Cells:

1. Cell Wall

• Looks like: A thick, stiff outer layer that is outside the cell membrane.
• Job: It gives the plant cell strength, support, and protection. It helps plants stand up tall against gravity and wind.
• Found in: Plant Cells only.

2. Chloroplasts

• Looks like: Green, oval-shaped parts inside the cell.
• Job: These are special organelles that capture energy from sunlight! They use sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide to make food (sugar) for the plant. This process is called photosynthesis.
• Found in: Plant Cells only.

3. Large Central Vacuole

• Looks like: One very large sac that takes up most of the space inside a plant cell.
• Job: It stores water, nutrients, and waste products. When it is full of water, it pushes against the cell wall, helping the plant cell stay firm and the plant stand upright.
• Found in: Plant Cells (animal cells may have many small vacuoles, but not one large central one).

Comparing Animal and Plant Cells

Plant cells have three main parts that animal cells usually do NOT have:

1. Cell Wall: Gives strong, stiff support.
2. Chloroplasts: Makes food using sunlight.
3. Large Central Vacuole: Stores a lot of water and helps keep the plant cell firm.

Cell Organelle Worksheet: Animal vs. Plant Cells

Directions: Use your notes and the reading to answer the questions below. Answer in complete sentences where possible.

Part 1: Animal Cell Organelles

1. What is the main job of the Nucleus? What does it look like?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

2. Describe the Cytoplasm. What is its role in the cell?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

3. The Cell Membrane controls what goes in and out. What does it look like?
   
   
   
   

4. Which organelle makes energy for the cell? What is its name and shape?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

5. What do Ribosomes make?
   
   
   
   

6. The Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER) helps move things. What does it look like?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

7. What is the job of the Golgi Apparatus?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

8. Which organelle cleans up waste and old cell parts?
   
   
   
   

Part 2: Plant Cell Organelles and Comparison

9. Name three organelles that are found in both animal cells and plant cells.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

10. Name three special organelles that are found only in plant cells and usually not in animal cells.
    
    
    
    
    
    
    

11. What is the Cell Wall? What is its job in a plant cell?
    
    
    
    
    
    
    

12. Which plant cell organelle captures sunlight to make food? What is this process called?
    
    
    
    
    
    
    

13. Describe the Large Central Vacuole in a plant cell. What does it store?
    
    
    
    
    
    
    

Part 3: Compare and Contrast

Directions: Fill in the table below by putting a checkmark (✅) if the organelle is present in the cell type, or an X (❌) if it is not. Then, write a very simple job for each organelle.

Cell Organelle Worksheet Answer Key: Animal vs. Plant Cells

Part 1: Animal Cell Organelles

1. What is the main job of the Nucleus? What does it look like?
   The Nucleus is the control center of the cell. It looks like a large, round part, usually in the center of the cell.

2. Describe the Cytoplasm. What is its role in the cell?
   The Cytoplasm is a jelly-like fluid that fills the inside of the cell. Its role is to hold all the organelles in place.

3. The Cell Membrane controls what goes in and out. What does it look like?
   The Cell Membrane looks like a thin, outer layer that surrounds the cell.

4. Which organelle makes energy for the cell? What is its name and shape?
   The Mitochondria makes energy for the cell. It is oval-shaped with inner folds.

5. What do Ribosomes make?
   Ribosomes make proteins for the cell.

6. The Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER) helps move things. What does it look like?
   The Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER) looks like a network of membranes and tubes.

7. What is the job of the Golgi Apparatus?
   The Golgi Apparatus packages and sends proteins and other materials to different places in or outside the cell.

8. Which organelle cleans up waste and old cell parts?
   Lysosomes clean up waste and break down old cell parts.

Part 2: Plant Cell Organelles and Comparison

9. Name three organelles that are found in both animal cells and plant cells.
   Possible answers: Nucleus, Cytoplasm, Cell Membrane, Mitochondria, Ribosomes, Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER), Golgi Apparatus.

10. Name three special organelles that are found only in plant cells and usually not in animal cells.

    1. Cell Wall
    2. Chloroplasts
    3. Large Central Vacuole

11. What is the Cell Wall? What is its job in a plant cell?
    The Cell Wall is a thick, stiff outer layer found outside the cell membrane in plant cells. Its job is to give the plant cell strength, support, and protection.

12. Which plant cell organelle captures sunlight to make food? What is this process called?
    Chloroplasts capture sunlight to make food for the plant. This process is called photosynthesis.

13. Describe the Large Central Vacuole in a plant cell. What does it store?
    The Large Central Vacuole is one very big sac that takes up most of the space inside a plant cell. It stores water, nutrients, and waste products.

Part 3: Compare and Contrast

Directions: Fill in the table below by putting a checkmark (✅) if the organelle is present in the cell type, or an X (❌) if it is not. Then, write a very simple job for each organelle.