Help Your Students Master Plant and Animal Cells Similarities and Differences

So, you have to teach your students about cells and about plant and animal cells similarities and differences, but you do not know where to start. Teaching about living organisms is one of my most favorite topics, so I would love to share some tips! Learning about cells and the differences and similarities between the different types of cells is foundational to Biology. I mean, really, the cell is the basic unit of life, and all living organisms have cells! Learning about the cell theory is always a great way to start teaching about the important concept in Biology!

Before you can teach this topic to your students, you must first be aware of the background information yourself.

Let’s learn more about plant and animal cells similarities and differences!

Why are plant and animal cells different?

Well, if they are both cells, why are they different? Well, truly, the reason that they are so different is because plants and animals have different needs. They function very differently, and energy production works differently.

As humans, we have animal cells, our cells cannot make energy on their own. That is why we have to eat. Animal cells have mitochondria that convert sugar from the foods that we eat into energy that is needed to keep them going. Plants provide energy for themselves, so the plant cells have chloroplasts which come in handy for that and the process of photosynthesis.

What are the differences between plant and animal cells?

All living organisms are made of cells, but when it comes to the two different kinds, there are some major differences.

Three main differences:

There are three differences between the plant cell and the animal cell that your students need to be aware of.

1. A plant cell has a cell wall, and the animal cell does not.
2. Plant cells have a large vacuole, whereas an animal cell has small vacuoles, or no vacuole at all.
3. Plant cells contain chloroplasts, which allow for photosynthesis. Animal cells do not have this. Animals get energy from the food that they eat, so they do not need chloroplasts.

Other differences:

In addition to the three major differences, there are also some other differences that are important to note.

1. Animal cells are generally smaller.
2. Plant cells all have a similar shape, whereas animal cells do not.
3. Lysosomes are present in both types of cells but are rare in plant cells.
4. Plant cells do not have centrosomes, whereas animal cells do.

How are plant and animal cells similar?

Although there are some major differences between plant and animal cells, there are also many differences.

1. They are both eukaryotic. Eukaryotic cells have a membrane-bound nucleus that houses DNA.
2. They have some of the same components: nucleus, Golgi complex, mitochondria, ribosomes, cell membrane, cytoskeleton, peroxisomes, endoplasmic reticulum.
3. They both have a true nucleus that houses DNA.
4. They have similar reproduction processes.
5. They have membrane-bound organelles – like mitochondria.

Activities to teach plant and animal cells similarities and differences

There are so many ways that you can incorporate these activities into a to bring the WOW Factor!

10 differences between plant and animal cells list

Have your students research and create a list themselves! Start out by showing your students a picture of a plant cell and an animal cell, either a clipart version or an actual picture. Have students do a think-pair-share to discuss some of the differences that they can automatically see. Afterward, have your students to partner up and do some more research. After about 10 minutes, they should have a list of 10 plant and animal cell differences to share!

Differences between plant and animal cells Venn diagram

Another option, instead of a list of the differences, is to allow your students to document the similarities and differences between plant and animal cells using a Venn diagram. They will visually be able to see the commonalities using this graphic organizer.

Digital Interactive Lesson

Maybe your students are learning about plant and animal cells for the first time, or maybe they just need a review. This digital interactive lesson allows for students to independently (or as direct instruction or small group) go through a lesson about cells with interactive questions built into the lesson.

In addition, a pre-assessment is included along with activities such and drag and drop and a Venn diagram built into the lesson.

Digital interactive lessons allow for you students to take in chunks of information at a time, and then applying it. This aids in cognitive load.

It is also found on TPT!

Making models

Making models are a great tool to use when teaching the similarities and differences of these cells. In addition, making models can be paired with any of the other activities that are listed above.

Students can create models using an materials that you provide, or any that they provide from home.

If you really want to challenge them, give them a limited number of supplies that they can use to create their models. It will give them a change to use the engineering design process with a scarcity of resources.

Bonus: Cell Structure and Function Scavenger Hunt: Animal, Plant, and Bacterial

In this activity, students use clues to determine which model best represents the cell structure function. It’s a scavenger hunt! Students will look at models of different cell structures: cell membrane, cell wall, nucleus, mitochondria, chloroplasts, vacuoles, cytoplasm, endoplasmic reticulum, ribosomes, Golgi apparatus, lysosomes, and centrioles.

After determining what clue matches the structure, they will determine whether it is found in an animal cell, plant cell, and/or bacterial cell. There’s more too!

To learn more, you can check it out in the Bright in the Middle Shop, or on TPT.

Which activity will you choose to teach plant and animal cells similarities and differences?