The differences between plant and animal cells are important because they affect how these cells work. Let’s look at some key differences:

1. Cell Wall:

   • Plant Cells: They have a strong cell wall made of cellulose. This wall gives plants support and protection. It also helps them stay firm and upright by keeping water inside.
   • Animal Cells: They don’t have a cell wall. Instead, they have a flexible outer layer called the plasma membrane. This flexibility allows animal cells to take many shapes and move easily. For example, some animal cells can even change shape to surround and take in larger particles.

2. Chloroplasts:

   • Plant Cells: These cells have special parts called chloroplasts. This is where photosynthesis happens. During photosynthesis, plants use sunlight to make their food (glucose). In green plant leaves, chloroplasts can make up about 20-25% of the cell’s volume.
   • Animal Cells: They do not have chloroplasts and cannot perform photosynthesis. Instead, animals get their energy by eating plants or other animals.

3. Vacuoles:

   • Plant Cells: They usually have one large central vacuole that can take up about 30-80% of the cell's space. This vacuole stores water, nutrients, and waste. It helps the cell stay strong and grow by holding important substances.
   • Animal Cells: These cells have smaller vacuoles. While they may also store and move substances around, they don’t help with the cell's strength in the same way.

How These Differences Matter:

• Photosynthesis: Because plant cells have chloroplasts, they can turn light into energy. Animal cells cannot do this at all.

• Support and Storage: The cell wall and large vacuole in plant cells help them resist damage and store water well, which is very important for their survival in different conditions.

• Movement and Shape: Since animal cells don’t have a tough cell wall, they can be flexible. This flexibility allows them to perform many important jobs in the body, like helping the immune system move through tissues.

These structural differences show us why plants and animals live and operate so differently. The way a cell is built plays a big role in how it functions.