Final answer:
Animal cells, unlike plant cells, lack a cell wall, chloroplasts, and large central vacuoles, which are the organelles plant cells possess for structural support, photosynthesis, and storage.
Step-by-step explanation:
Animal cells contain various organelles that perform different functions necessary for cell survival and function. However, when comparing animal cells with plant cells, we find specific structures that are present in plant cells but not in animal cells. One key organelle that animal cells lack is the cell wall. In plant cells, the cell wall provides structural support and protection, but animal cells do not have this rigid structure, allowing them more flexibility and the ability to take on various shapes to become specialized for different functions. Additionally, animal cells do not contain chloroplasts, which are necessary for photosynthesis in plant cells. Animal cells also do not have large central vacuoles that are typically found in plant cells, where they maintain cell turgor pressure, store nutrients, and contribute to plant cell growth.