Q.Write any four differences between plant cells and animal cells. OR Write any four differences between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells.

Plant and animal cells are both eukaryotic but differ mainly in the presence of a cell wall, plastids, a large central vacuole (all present in plant cells and absent/reduced in animal cells) and centrioles (present in animal cells, generally absent in plant cells).

Four clear differences between plant and animal cells:

1. Cell wall: Plant cells are enclosed by a rigid, non-living cell wall made mainly of cellulose, lying outside the plasma membrane, which gives the cell a fixed shape and mechanical support. Animal cells have no cell wall - only the flexible plasma membrane bounds the cell.
2. Plastids: Plant cells contain plastids, especially chloroplasts, which carry the pigment chlorophyll and are the site of photosynthesis. Animal cells do not have plastids at all, since they are not photosynthetic.
3. Vacuole: A mature plant cell typically has one large, permanent central vacuole occupying most of the cell volume, filled with cell sap and important for turgor pressure, storage, and maintaining osmotic balance. Animal cells, if they have vacuoles at all, have several small and temporary ones. …