What is one major difference between plant and animal cells regarding organelles?

What is one major difference between plant and animal cells regarding organelles?

• A. Plant cells lack chloroplasts.
• B. Animal cells have chloroplasts.
• C. Both have large central vacuoles.
• D. Plant cells have chloroplasts, a rigid cell wall, and a large central vacuole; animal cells lack cell walls and chloroplasts and have smaller vacuoles.

Answer: (D)

Plants and animals differ in several essential organelle features, especially regarding chloroplasts, the cell wall, and the vacuole. Plant cells contain chloroplasts that capture light to perform photosynthesis, which is how they make their own food. They also have a rigid cell wall outside the plasma membrane that provides structural support and shape, and they typically possess a large central vacuole that stores water and helps maintain turgor pressure to keep the cell—and the whole plant—rigid. In contrast, animal cells do not have chloroplasts or a cell wall, and they usually have smaller, more numerous vacuoles rather than one large central one. The option that states plants have chloroplasts, a rigid cell wall, and a large central vacuole, while animal cells lack these features, best reflects these major differences in organelle composition and cellular function.

Plants and animals differ in several essential organelle features, especially regarding chloroplasts, the cell wall, and the vacuole. Plant cells contain chloroplasts that capture light to perform photosynthesis, which is how they make their own food. They also have a rigid cell wall outside the plasma membrane that provides structural support and shape, and they typically possess a large central vacuole that stores water and helps maintain turgor pressure to keep the cell—and the whole plant—rigid. In contrast, animal cells do not have chloroplasts or a cell wall, and they usually have smaller, more numerous vacuoles rather than one large central one. The option that states plants have chloroplasts, a rigid cell wall, and a large central vacuole, while animal cells lack these features, best reflects these major differences in organelle composition and cellular function.