Animal Cells and Plant Cells
 The basic building block of animals and
plants is the cell.
 Cells are very small and we need a
microscope to see them.
 The photographs show animal cells and
plant cells, as seen through a
microscope.
These are cheek cells, seen through a microscope
These are onion cells, seen through a microscope
Cells are made up of different parts.
Vacuole
Vacuole
Animal cells and plant cells both contain:




Cell membrane
Cytoplasm
Nucleus
Vacuole (Very large in a plant cell and small
in animal cell)
Plant cells only also contain:
 Chloroplasts
 Cell wall
Part and
Function
 Cell membrane:
o Controls what substances can get into
and out of the cell.
o Surrounds and protects the cell
 Cytoplasm:
o Jelly-like substance, where chemical
reactions happen.
o Allows oxygen and nutrients to
circulate to other parts of the cell
 Nucleus:
o Directs the cell’s activity
o Contains chromosomes made of genes
which allow the cell to grow and
reproduce
 Vacuole:
o Contains a liquid called cell sap,
which keeps the cell firm.
o Stores nutrients for later use and
contains waste that needs to be
eliminated
 Chloroplast:
o Where photosynthesis happens (sugar
is produced from solar energy and
carbon dioxide)
o Chloroplasts contain a green
substance called chlorophyll (absorb
energy from the sun).
 Cell wall:
o Thicker and more rigid than cell
membrane
o Made of a resistant material called
cellulose, which supports the cell.
o Found on the outside of the cell
membrane