What Makes Animal Cells Different

What Makes Animal

Cells Different
from Plant Cells?
INTRODUCTION

We learned from the previous lesson about levels of organization, and we learned that
all organisms are made up of cells. We also learned from the first week of this quarter
that the cells can be seen by the use of a microscope. What are the parts of the cell?
What are their functions? Why is the cell the basic and structural unit of all
organisms? Let us find out in this module.
INTRODUCTION

According to the Cell Theory, all living organisms are composed of cells. The cell is
the basic unit of life and cells arise from pre-existing cells. These are formulated by
German scientists: Theodor Schwann (1810–1822), Matthias Schleiden 1804–1881,
and Rudolph Virchow (1821–1902). The Cell Theory developed with the advent of
technology. In the modern version, it includes the following: (1) energy flow occurs
within cells; (2) heredity information (DNA) is passed on from cell to cell and; (3) all
cells have the same basic chemical composition.
INTRODUCTION
Students like you can mostly see the nucleus of a cell using a light microscope, but what about
the other parts? Biologists use an electron microscope. An electron microscope is a
microscope that attains extremely high resolution using an electron beam instead of a beam of
light to illuminate the object of study. The word organelle (“little organs”) is used to describe
these tiny cellular structures. The nucleus is the part of the cell that can be observed easily. It is
the control center of the cell also labeled as “the brain” of the cell. This is where the DNA is
located. Deoxyribonucleic acid or DNA exists in all living things and has the ability to make
exact copies of itself. It comprises the chromosomes making it the bearer of genetic
information of an organism. The nucleolus is where the subunits of ribosome are produced.
The ribosome is the one that synthesizes protein. The cytoplasm is where all the organelles
are embedded. It is a “jelly-like” substance that surrounds the organelles of the cell. The
covering of our cell is the plasma membrane. It is like “the skin” that encloses the cell parts
from the outside environment. It allows the entry of the materials inside the cell and it is also
where wastes exit.
INTRODUCTION
The other parts of the cell are mitochondrion, endoplasmic reticulum, ribosomes, Golgi bodies, vacuoles, and
lysosomes. The mitochondrion is where cellular respiration takes place. The product of cellular respiration
process is cellular energy. This cellular energy is used by other parts of the cell. The popular tag line for
mitochondrion is “the powerhouse” of the cell. The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) serves as synthesizer, sorter,
and transporter of materials such as protein and lipids. It is categorized into two: the rough and the smooth.
The rough endoplasmic reticulum contains ribosomes and its main function is to synthesize and transport
proteins and other materials throughout the cell. The smooth endoplasmic reticulum on the other hand does
not contain ribosomes and it is the one that synthesizes lipids (such as phospholipids and cholesterol),
carbohydrates, and steroids. Remember that the ribosomes are the ones that produce protein. If there is a
production of proteins, the Golgi bodies are the one that process and pack the proteins. Lysosomes are “the
digestion machine” of the cell. When the cell absorbs materials (food) from the outside, the lysosomes will
cling to it and starts to break it down by releasing their enzymes. The complex sugars, carbohydrates, and other
big molecules will become simple molecules that can be used by the cell. Lysosomes also break down
unwanted materials like bacteria and old organelles.
INTRODUCTION
The vacuole in plants is larger than in animals taking up almost all the space in a
plant cell. It makes the plant cell rigid. The plants stand upright because of the water
in the vacuoles. The freshness of leaves is also due to water in the vacuole. Some
vacuoles in plants contain toxic or poisonous substances. In animal cells, the
vacuoles are small and are called vesicles. It stores water and food and also has the
task of excretion of waste materials.
INTRODUCTION
The general parts of the cell are given to you. But some parts are particular to a plant
cell and an animal cell. What are these parts? The plant cell has a cell wall and
chloroplast. The cell wall is the outer lining beside the plasma membrane. The cell
wall adds stability and protection to plant cells. The chlorophyll in the chloroplasts
absorb light energy and convert it into chemical energy and allows plants to carry out
the process of photosyntesis. The amyloplasts are found on plant cells that stores
starch. Animal cells have centrioles. Its function is connected to cell reproduction.
INTRODUCTION
Take a look on the illustration of animal and plant cells. Note the parts and functions of the organelles
as well as their similarities and differences.
DEVELOPMENT
Learning Task 1: Look at the picture. Try to recognized the organelles. Choose
your answers from the box below. Write your answers in your answer sheet.
Endoplasmic reticulum Cell membrane Golgi Bodies Nucleus

Mitochondrion Chloroplast
DEVELOPMENT
Learning Task 2: The organelles are giving their job description to you. Can you
identify which organelles are they? Write your answers in your answer sheet.
1. Hi! My responsibility is to add stability and protection to plant cells. What am

I?
2. Hi! I produce proteins inside the cell. What am I?
3. Hello! I have a green pigment called the chlorophyll. I also absorb solar energy
to do the process of photosynthesis. What am I?
4. Good morning po! My work is to store food materials and excretes waste
materials. I take a large space on plants. I make the leaves of plants fresh. What
am I?
5. Hi! All organelles are embedded in me. I am a “jelly-like” substance. What am
I?
DEVELOPMENT
Learning Task 3: Study the picture presented below and relate the cell parts to the
parts of a factory. Choose your answers from the text box presented after the image.
Write down the function of each cell part.
DEVELOPMENT
Learning Task 4: Determine whether the organelles are found in an animal cell, a
plant cell, or both. Put a check mark () on the column you choose for each part.
ENGAGEMENT
ENGAGEMENT
Learning Task 6: Explain in your own words the following situations. Write your
explanations in your answer sheet.
1. All living organisms have cells. Some are unicellular organisms wherein the cell
is the organism itself. Explain why cells are the basic unit of life.
2. How can you take care of your cells?
3. Would life on Earth exist without cells? Why do you think so?

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What Makes Animal

Endoplasmic reticulum Cell membrane Golgi Bodies Nucleus

1. Hi! My responsibility is to add stability and protection to plant cells. What am

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