What are the main differences between plant and animal cells?


The main, obvious difference is that plants in general carry out photosynthesis using an organelle called a chloroplast. They convert (sun) light into chemical energy, glucose. Plants use this chemical energy to grow and reproduce and to feed their neighbor animal cells. Animals cannot carry out photosynthesis. They depend on plants for food somewhere in their food chain.


In general animals are motile. Animal cells are “flexible”, without a rigid exterior. Plants have cell walls, a rigid exterior. This can be used like bricks to build strong structures during growth. It is also used to retain pressure inside the cell that likewise aids in the rigid plant structure.

That’s a couple of differences. I am sure there are more you can find. Think about how can plant cells grow, divide and reproduce with such a rigid exterior.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

What are the recent breakthrough in bio-science?

Image
Primate Cloning: Though cloning is a debatable issue from the ethical point of view, it is quite necessary to study biological phenomena. Primates, i.e. the family of apes (which include human beings too) have a very complex genome (genome is the total genetic information contained in a cell of the organism). Hence cloning primates is very difficult. However a group of scientists at Institute of Neuroscience, Shanghai, led by Mu-Ming Poo and Qiang Sun have successfully cloned two healthy monkeys of the variety Long Tailed Macaques named Zhongh and Huahua using the same principles used behind the cloning of Dolly the sheep in 1996. This is a first of its kind successful experiment. The monkeys cloned will be studied respectively to conduct successful research work on human diseases in the near future, especially to study neurological disorders like Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, etc. As humans belong to the same group as monkeys, i.e. Primata, and their
Read more

How do plants get overwatered?

Image
It breaks down into two issues: too much water; and, inadequate drainage. Either or both may happen when too much water is given to plants. It is most applicable to plants in pots, but can also occur with plants in the ground. When you water you are doing a couple of things. You are supplying needed moisture to the root system so it can provide that moisture to the stems and leaves. You are also flushing out some minerals and waste products from metabolic processes occurring in the roots and in the soil. If your potted plants have a drip tray under them and you leave water in the tray, the waste products have nowhere to go except back in to the soil where they become more concentrated. This can lead to soil that is toxic to the roots. Remember that potted plants are in an essentially closed system—unless you flush out the accumulated salts and waste products periodically. The minerals in your water supply will accumulate, possibly to the point of burning the tips of the root
Read more

What is biomedical science about? What do biomedical scientists do?

Image
Biomedical Science is a basic research field which focuses on the aspects of the human body and human health. So you study everything about the human body and about disease progression and treatment. It is a new field in India, but abroad the scope of this field is vast, especially in the UK. The UK has a 'Royal Society of Biomedical Scientists' which has laid down the work profile of a Biomedical Scientist as well. Biomedical Scientists work in a health centre, either a hospital or health research facilities. They do epidemiological analysis of current human diseases and do the necessary research work, or are involved in policy making for combating diseases and it's treatment. In a hospital setting, they are required to assist doctors by telling them about the new treatment methods for a disease and suggest preventive measures as well.
Read more