Final answer:
Prokaryotic, animal, and plant cells share the plasma membrane, cytoplasm, nucleic acids, and ribosomes, but plant cells have unique structures including a cell wall, central vacuole, and chloroplasts. Animal cells lack these but have lysosomes and centrioles, whereas prokaryotic cells lack a defined nucleus or organelles.
Step-by-step explanation:
Comparison of Prokaryotic, Animal, and Plant Cells
When comparing the structure of prokaryotic cells, animal cells, and plant cells, it is important to note that animal and plant cells are eukaryotic, meaning they have a defined nucleus and various specialized structures known as organelles. Prokaryotic cells, on the other hand, lack a true nucleus and organelles and are generally smaller.
All cells, whether prokaryotic or eukaryotic, share four common structures: the plasma membrane, cytoplasm, nucleic acids (genetic material), and ribosomes for protein synthesis. However, plant cells have additional unique parts; these include a cell wall, a central vacuole, and plastids such as chloroplasts for photosynthesis.
Animal cells typically do not have a cell wall or chloroplasts, though they have their own unique organelles such as lysosomes and centrioles. Cilia and flagella are also notable structures and are present in some eukaryotic cells for movement, cilia being numerous and flagella usually one or two per cell.
An understanding of the structures of these cell types illustrates both their evolutionary relationships and functional differences. For example, the rigid cell wall in plant cells supports plant structure and gives them the ability to withstand the turgor pressure within, while animal cells are more flexible.