Science · Cells & organisms
Animal & plant cells
Parts of a cell.
What are cells?
Cells are the tiny building blocks of all living things. Every plant and animal is made of cells. Some organisms have just one cell, but you have trillions! Most cells are so small you need a microscope to see them clearly.
Parts found in both animal and plant cells
The nucleus is the control centre that contains genetic information. The cytoplasm is a jelly-like substance where chemical reactions happen. The cell membrane is a thin layer that controls what enters and leaves the cell.
Special parts only in plant cells
Plant cells have a rigid cell wall made of cellulose that gives shape and support. Chloroplasts contain chlorophyll, a green substance that captures light for photosynthesis. A large vacuole stores water and nutrients, keeping the cell firm.
Comparing animal and plant cells
Animal cells are usually smaller and more irregular in shape. Plant cells are often larger with a fixed rectangular shape because of the cell wall. Both types need a nucleus, cytoplasm and cell membrane to survive.
Why cells have different parts
Each cell part has a specific job, called its function. Plant cells need chloroplasts to make food from sunlight. Animal cells get energy by eating, so they do not need chloroplasts. The parts work together like a team.
Worked examples
1. Which cell parts would you find in an onion cell?
- An onion is a plant, so its cells have all plant cell parts.
- Plant cells contain: nucleus, cytoplasm, cell membrane, cell wall, vacuole and chloroplasts.
- Actually, onion cells are underground and do not photosynthesise, so they lack chloroplasts.
- You would find: nucleus, cytoplasm, cell membrane, cell wall and vacuole.
2. A student looks at a cell under the microscope and sees a cell wall. Is it animal or plant?
- Only plant cells have a rigid cell wall made of cellulose.
- Animal cells have a cell membrane but no cell wall.
- Therefore, this cell must be a plant cell.
3. Why do plant cells need chloroplasts but animal cells do not?
- Chloroplasts contain chlorophyll, which captures light energy.
- Plants use this energy to make food through photosynthesis.
- Animals get food by eating plants or other animals, so they do not need chloroplasts.
- This is why chloroplasts are only found in plant cells.
Try it yourself
Draw a simple plant cell and label the nucleus, cell wall, cell membrane, vacuole, cytoplasm and chloroplasts.
Ready to test yourself?
Take a short topic test — every question maps to a syllabus point so you’ll see exactly which parts you’ve mastered.