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Table of Contents
Just like plants and any other living organisms, animals are also made up of cells, the basic unit of life. Processes such as movement, respiration, growth, and reproduction would not be possible without animal cells.
See the fact file below for more information on Animal Cells or alternatively, you can download our 27-page Animal Cells worksheet pack to utilize within the classroom or home environment.
Key Facts & Information
WHAT ARE ANIMALS?
- Animals, unlike plants, are heterotrophic organisms, which means that they rely on other organisms to gain energy and nutrients. Aside from this, here are some characteristics of animals that set them apart from other organisms.
- AEROBIC ORGANISMS: With some exceptions, most animals are aerobic organisms. This means that they need oxygen in order to grow and survive.
- MOTILE: All animals are capable of movement. Some, like sponges, lose their ability to move and later on become sessile or immobile.
- SEXUAL REPRODUCTION: Most animals, reproduce sexually, which means that two parents and/or gametes are needed to produce offspring. However, some animals also reproduce asexually.
- All of these characteristics would not be possible without the animal cells that constitute an animal. Animal cells also go through a process of differentiation where specialized cells are formed. These specialized cells allow an animal to perform functions and processes unique to them.
ANIMAL CELLS AND THEIR ORGANELLES
- Animals are classified as multicellular and eukaryotic organisms. This means that they are made up of numerous cells that contain membrane-bound organelles such as the nucleus and mitochondria. Compared to plant cells, animal cells are smaller in size. They range from 10 β 30 micrometers in size.
ORGANELLES OF ANIMAL CELLS
- CELL MEMBRANE: The outermost part of an animal cell. This is a thin semi-permeable layer composed of proteins and fats. The cell membrane regulates the substances that enter and exit the cell.
- CENTROSOME: An organelle found near the nucleus responsible for the production of microtubules. Microtubules are needed for cell division, cell motility, intracellular transport, and the maintenance of cell shape.
- CYTOPLASM: A fluid enclosed by the cell membrane. It contains all the cell organelles.
- ENDOPLASMIC RETICULUM: A network of membranous sacs that helps synthesize proteins and lipids.
- There are two types of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) β the rough and smooth ER. The rough ER coordinates protein synthesis while the smooth ER specializes in lipid synthesis.
- GOLGI BODY: Golgi bodies receive proteins from the ER, modify, pack, and send them to their final destination in small bubbles called vesicles.
- LYSOSOME: This organelle serves as the recycling center. It contains digestive enzymes that digest worn-out organelles. Lysosomes also break down substances into raw materials that can be used to build new organelles.
- MITOCHONDRIA: Another membrane-bound organelle responsible for the production of ATP, the energy currency of the cell, through the process of cellular respiration. Since animals are aerobic organisms, this organelle is very important for them as it allows for the formation of ATP.
- Oxygen from the atmosphere is taken in by animals and used to make ATP from glucose. This process then produces carbon dioxide as a waste product.
- NUCLEUS: A membrane-bound organelle that houses the genetic information known as DNA. DNA serves as the blueprint of life as it contains all the instructions needed for a cell to function. Due to this, the nucleus is also known as the control center of the cell.
- RIBOSOME: A small organelle that helps in the production of proteins. These are often found attached to the rough endoplasmic reticulum.
- VACUOLE: Unlike plants which have a large central vacuole, animal cells have small but numerous vacuoles, which are also used for storage of food and water.
- With the exception of centrosomes, all of the cell organelles described above are found in both plant and animal cells. Moreover, there are small differences that make animal cells unique compared to plant cells such as the presence of small but numerous vacuoles.
TYPES OF ANIMAL CELLS
- Animals are complex organisms made up of several tissues and organs. Tissues are a group of cells that have similar functions. Organs are then made up of tissues that perform a specialized function.
- It is important to note that not all animals have a tissue level and higher levels of organization. Sponges, for example, only have a cellular level of organization. Each cell is specialized to perform different functions and is no longer arranged to form tissues.
Here are some of the different types of animal cells.
- SKIN CELLS: The bodyβs first line of defense from the external environment. Cells such as melanocytes, keratinocytes, and Merkel cells are classified as skin cells.
- MUSCLE CELLS: Also known as myocytes, these cells make up the muscle tissues that contract or relax to produce movement. Examples of myocytes are cardiac muscle cells, tendon cells, and smooth muscle cells.
- BLOOD CELLS: Blood cells form connective tissue. Depending on the type, a blood cell can distribute gasses and nutrients, can fight off infections, and can form blood clots.
- NERVE CELLS: Nerve cells are a specialized type of animal cell that transmits information from one organ to another. This allows information to be gathered and responses be made.
- GAMETES: These cells are also known as sex cells. They participate in the process of reproduction. The female sex cells are known as the egg, while the male sex cells are called sperm.
ANIMAL CELLS VS. PLANT CELLS
- Animal cells and plant cells are both eukaryotic, which means they contain a true nucleus. Despite this similarity, it is obvious that plants and animals have different needs. Thus, it is necessary for them to have cell organelles and structures that can respond to their unique functions.
- Plant cells are autotrophic organisms that perform photosynthesis, while animal cells are heterotrophic. Due to this, only plant cells have chloroplasts, an organelle responsible for the process of photosynthesis.
- Plant cells are known to have a rectangular shape, while animal cells have an irregular shape. This is due to the absence of cell walls in animal cells and the presence of these in plant cells. Due to the lack of cell walls, animal cells are flexible, resulting in the evolution and diversification of the animal kingdom.
- Animal cells also lack a central vacuole but instead have numerous but small vacuoles with the same function, except for exerting turgor pressure against the cell membrane and cell wall. Since animal cells lack cell walls, having turgor pressure will cause lysis of the cell.
- Animal cells contain centrosomes, while plant cells donβt. Centrosomes have many functions, but the most notable would be the production of the spindle fibers needed for cell division. Spindle fibers are important in pulling chromosomes apart to ensure that each daughter cell receives genetic material. Studies show that despite plant cells lacking centrosomes, they can still ensure that each daughter cell is able to receive a copy of the genetic material.
Animal Cells Worksheets
This is a fantastic bundle that includes everything you need to know about Animal Cells across 27 in-depth pages. These are ready-to-use worksheets that are perfect for teaching about Animal Cells which like in any other living being, allow animals to function.
Complete List Of Included Worksheets
- Animal Cells Fact File
- Fill It With Organelles
- Find The Organelle
- Animals vs. Plants
- Fact Check
- Uniquely Important
- Levels of Organization
- One of A Kind
- Racing Extinction
- A World Without Animals
- To Humans
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the different types of animal cells?
SKIN CELLS: The bodyβs first line of defense from the external environment. Cells such as melanocytes, keratinocytes, and Merkel cells are classified as skin cells. MUSCLE CELLS: Also known as myocytes, these cells make up the muscle tissues that contract or relax to produce movement. Examples of myocytes are cardiac muscle cells, tendon cells, and smooth muscle cells. BLOOD CELLS: Blood cells form connective tissue. Depending on the type, a blood cell can distribute gasses and nutrients, can fight off infections, and can form blood clots. NERVE CELLS: Nerve cells are a specialized type of animal cell that transmits information from one organ to another. This allows information to be gathered and responses be made. GAMETES: These cells are also known as sex cells. They participate in the process of reproduction. The female sex cells are known as the egg, while the male sex cells are called sperm.
What’s the difference between animal cells and plant cells?
Animal cells and plant cells are both eukaryotic, which means they contain a true nucleus. Despite this similarity, it is obvious that plants and animals have different needs. Thus, it is necessary for them to have cell organelles and structures that can respond to their unique functions. Plant cells are autotrophic organisms that perform photosynthesis, while animal cells are heterotrophic. Due to this, only plant cells have chloroplasts, an organelle responsible for the process of photosynthesis.
What are centrosomes?
Centrosomes have many functions, but the most notable would be the production of the spindle fibers needed for cell division. Spindle fibers are important in pulling chromosomes apart to ensure that each daughter cell receives genetic material. Studies show that despite plant cells lacking centrosomes, they can still ensure that each daughter cell is able to receive a copy of the genetic material.
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