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Reviewer participation may vary by guide. Checked against Cambridge IGCSE Biology 0610 (2026–2028); last reviewed August 2026.
The key difference
Both plant and animal cells have a cell membrane, cytoplasm, nucleus, ribosomes, and mitochondria. Plant cells additionally have a cellulose cell wall, chloroplasts (in green parts), and a large permanent vacuole filled with cell sap.
This is one of the first comparisons you learn in IGCSE Biology and one of the most frequently tested. The key is knowing which features are shared and which are unique to plant cells. Remember that plant cells have everything animal cells have, plus additional structures.
Feature
Plant Cell
Animal Cell
Cell wall
Present: made of cellulose, provides structural support and prevents bursting
Absent
Cell membrane
Present (inside the cell wall)
Present
Chloroplasts
Present in green parts (leaves, stems): site of photosynthesis
Absent
Large permanent vacuole
Present: filled with cell sap, maintains turgor pressure
May have small temporary vacuoles
Nucleus
Present
Present
Cytoplasm
Present
Present
Mitochondria
Present
Present
Ribosomes
Present
Present
Shape
Regular / fixed shape (due to cell wall)
Irregular / variable shape
Storage carbohydrate
Starch
Glycogen
Not All Plant Cells Have Chloroplasts
A common error is assuming every plant cell has chloroplasts. Only cells in the green parts of the plant (mainly leaves and green stems) contain chloroplasts because only these parts photosynthesise. Root cells, for example, do not have chloroplasts: they are underground and receive no light. This is a detail examiners specifically test.
The Role of Turgor Pressure
The large permanent vacuole in plant cells is filled with cell sap: a solution of sugars, mineral ions, and other substances in water. When the vacuole is full, it pushes the cytoplasm against the cell wall, creating turgor pressure. This pressure helps keep the plant upright and gives non-woody stems their rigidity. When plant cells lose water (e.g. In drought), the vacuole shrinks, turgor is lost, and the plant wilts. This process is called plasmolysis in extreme cases.
Try a comparison question (3 marks)
State three structural differences between a typical plant cell and a typical animal cell. [3]
Show the answer and marking guidance
Plant cells have a cellulose cell wall; animal cells do not
Plant cells have chloroplasts (in green parts); animal cells do not
Plant cells have a large permanent vacuole filled with cell sap; animal cells may only have small temporary vacuoles
Original Cambridge-style practice written for this site.
Common comparison mistakes
When answering a compare question, write matched pairs rather than two separate descriptions.
Saying "plant cells have a cell wall instead of a cell membrane": plant cells have BOTH
Claiming all plant cells have chloroplasts: only cells in green parts (exposed to light) have them
Forgetting that both cell types have mitochondria: plant cells respire too
Saying animal cells have "no vacuole": they can have small temporary vacuoles, just not a large permanent one