In a plant cell, two parts that are not found in an animal cell are:
1. **Chloroplasts**: Chloroplasts are organelles found in plant cells that are responsible for photosynthesis, the process by which plants convert sunlight into energy. Chloroplasts contain chlorophyll, a pigment that captures sunlight and uses it to produce glucose (sugar) for the plant. This process is essential for plant growth and survival, as it provides the plant with the energy it needs to carry out its functions. Animal cells do not have chloroplasts, so they cannot perform photosynthesis like plant cells do.
2. **Cell Wall**: The cell wall is a rigid structure found outside the cell membrane in plant cells. It provides support and protection to the plant cell, helping it maintain its shape and structure. The cell wall is made of cellulose, a tough substance that gives plants their rigidity and allows them to grow upright. Animal cells do not have a cell wall; instead, they have a flexible cell membrane that surrounds the cell. This difference in structure between plant cell walls and animal cell membranes is one of the reasons why plant cells are able to maintain their shape and withstand environmental pressures better than animal cells.
These two parts, chloroplasts and cell walls, contribute to how a plant cell functions differently than an animal cell by enabling photosynthesis for energy production and providing structural support and protection, respectively. Plant cells can produce their own food through photosynthesis, making them autotrophic, while animal cells rely on external food sources and are heterotrophic. Additionally, the cell wall in plant cells allows them to grow tall and maintain their shape under challenging conditions, which is not possible in animal cells lacking this rigid structure.
