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What is an Animal Cell?

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Animal Cell

Discover animal cells, the building blocks that make up all animals. Learn about their structure, how they work, and how they are different from plant cells.
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What is an animal cell?

All animals and plants are made of cells.

These cells are the genetic building blocks that makeup tissues and organs in the body of an animal.

The development of these genetic materials is controlled by the cells.

Animal cells are made up of distinct parts

  • The Cell Membrane
  • The Cytoplasm
  • The Nucleus
  • The Mitochondria

Animal Cell

Cell membrane

The cell membrane is a selectively permeable membrane that controls the entry and exit of materials. It separates the cytoplasm from the surrounding environment.

Cytoplasm

The cytoplasm contains the living material within a cell, not including the nucleus.

Nucleus

The nucleus is the 'brain' of a cell. It contains the cell's chromosomes DNA and controls what happens inside it.

Mitochondria

The mitochondria are structures within the cytoplasm that control aerobic respiration. This is the process of breaking down nutrients into energy.

Differences between plant and animal cells

  • Animal cells are usually an irregular shape, whereas plant cells are more regular
  • Plant cells contain a cell wall, which supports the structure of the cell
  • Plant cells contain vacuole, which contains tree sap
  • Plant cells also contain chloroplasts, which produce chlorophyll for photosynthesis
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