Final answer:
Plant cells and animal cells have many similarities; however, plant cells also have a few additional structures like a cell wall, large central vacuole, and plastids. Animal cells lack these structures but have lysosomes. These define the difference in their structure and function.
Step-by-step explanation:
The main distinction between a plant cell and an animal cell lies in a few additional structures found in plant cells. Both cell types possess many similar components such as the nucleus, mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum, ribosomes, Golgi apparatus, peroxisomes, cytoskeleton, and cell membrane. However, plant cells also have a cell wall, plastids, and a large central vacuole. The cell wall provides extra support and protection, plastids are responsible for photosynthesis and storage, and the large central vacuole supports the cell's rigidity and stores nutrients. On the other hand, in animal cells, lysosomes perform the function of waste disposal, acting as cellular 'recycle bins' breaking down and reusing unnecessary parts.
In the context of their functional comparison, animal cells are generally smaller and have various shapes due to the lack of a rigid cell wall. On the contrary, plant cells are usually larger and have a more regular, rectangular shape due to the presence of a cell wall.
Thus, both plant and animal cells are similar in many ways, but the few key differences between them define their different roles in the maintenance of life.
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