Cell Structure Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Cell Structure - Essay Example Plant and animal cells each have a true nucleus because they are both eukaryotic organisms. This central membrane-bound compartment is the site of storage for most of the cell's genetic material. Within the nucleus there is a nucleolus which produces ribosomes. Likewise, both plant and animal cells have corresponding organelle structures with identical functions. This includes: rough endoplasmic reticulum, smooth endoplasmic reticulum, peroxisomes, lysosomes, Golgi bodies, secretory vesicles, mitochondria, microtubules and microfilaments, cell membrane, cytosol, and a centrosome. Both plant cells and animal cells have an organelle known as the vacuole, but there are major functional differences between an animal vacuole and a plant vacuole (Cell Models, 2006). In animal cells the vacuole generally has a small size. It is used for storing waste products and serves as an area for digestion. In plant cells the vacuole makes up a much larger percentage of the internal volume. Besides the functions of waste storage and digestion, the plant vacuole has other important roles. Plant vacuoles hold nutrients and water. They help the plant cells to expand during the cellular growth process.