List the main structural differences between plant and animal cells.

List the main structural differences between plant and animal cells.

• A. Plant cells lack cell walls.
• B. Animal cells have chloroplasts.
• C. Plant cells have cell walls, chloroplasts, and a large central vacuole; animal cells lack cell walls and chloroplasts and have smaller vacuoles.
• D. Plant cells have lysosomes; animal cells do not.

Answer: (C)

The main idea here is how plant and animal cells are built differently to fit their roles. Plant cells have a rigid cell wall that surrounds the membrane, chloroplasts for photosynthesis, and a large central vacuole that stores water and helps keep the cell turgid. Animal cells don’t have a cell wall or chloroplasts, and their vacuoles are smaller and more numerous. These features explain why plants are rigid and can perform photosynthesis, while animals have more flexible cells and rely on other tissues for support.

The main idea here is how plant and animal cells are built differently to fit their roles. Plant cells have a rigid cell wall that surrounds the membrane, chloroplasts for photosynthesis, and a large central vacuole that stores water and helps keep the cell turgid. Animal cells don’t have a cell wall or chloroplasts, and their vacuoles are smaller and more numerous. These features explain why plants are rigid and can perform photosynthesis, while animals have more flexible cells and rely on other tissues for support.