Animal and Plant Cells

Cell Membrane

Cell membranes are a double layer of phospholipids and acts as a protective barrier to uncontrolled flows of water. They are found in both plant and animal cells.

Cell Wall

Cell walls are rigid, protective barriers on the outside of cells. It provides and maintains the cell's shape, and is only found in plant cells. In this diagram, the cell wall would be the dark green icing along the edge of the cake.

Centriole

Centrioles are rings of 9 groups of fused microtubles. They are a part of the cytoskeleton, and are only found in animal cells.

Centrosome

Centrosomes are where microtubles are produced. They play roles in cell division, and are found in both plants and animals.

Chloroplast

Chloroplasts are organelles that contain the cell's chlorophyll, which is responsible for plants' green color and their ability to absorb sunlight. As suggested above, they are only found in plant cells.

Cytoskeleton

Cytoskeletons are what helps keep cells' shapes. They help with internal movement, as well as cell locomotion and muscle fiber contraction. They are found in both plant and animal cells.

Cytosol/Cytoplasm

Cytosol is a watery substance that resides in all cells. It is full of proteins that control cell metabolism. The cytosol, in this diagram, is the white icing which covers the whole cake. They are located in both plant and animal cells.

Lysosome

Lysosomes are the digesters of cells. They eat bacteria and other things in the cell, and release them out. They are found in both plant and animal cells.

Mitochondria

Mitochondria provide a cell the energy it needs to move and function. They are the power centers of the cell. They are found in both plant and animal cells.

Peroxisome

Peroxisomes are protectors of the cell against its own toxic hydrogen peroxide. They break it down into carbon and oxygen. They are found in both plant and animal cells.

Ribosomes

Ribosomes packets of RNA, and are critical in cells. They are the site of protein synthesis, and add individual amino acids to protein chains. They are found in both plant and animal cells.

Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum

Rough endoplasmic reticulum is used for protein transportation throughout the cell. They are found in both plant and animal cells.

Secretory Vesicle

Secretory vesicles are the transporters of cell secretions. They package and send them to the cell's surface for release.

Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum

Smooth endoplasmic reticulum are, in animal cells, responsible for the production of hormones, etc., and is a complex network of membrane-bound vesicles and tubules. They are found in both plant and animal cells.

Golgi

The golgi are a stack of membrane-bound vesicles that are the packagers of macromolecules for transport to another part of the cell. They are found in both plant and animal cells.

Nucleolus

The nucleolus, in the nucleus, is what produces ribosomes, which are critical in the cell's survival. The nucleolus, in this diagram, is the pink part in the nucleus, which is the white circle. They are in both plant and animal cells.

Nucleus

The nucleus holds the DNA of the cell. It has a double membrane and has nuclear pores, which it uses to communicate with the surrounding cytoplasm. The nucleus, in this diagram, is the yellow part in the middle. They are in both plant and animal cells.

Vacuole

Vacuoles are membrane-bound sacs that help in cell digestion and waste. In plant cells, they are used for storing nutrients and assisting in cell growth. As stated above, they are found in both plant and animal cells.