Animal Cells Do Not Have a Cell Wall

Animal cells do not have a cell wall. Instead of a cell wall, the plasma membrane (usually called cell membrane when discussing animal cells) is the outer boundary of animal cells. Animal tissues therefore require either external or internal support from some kind of skeleton. Frameworks of rigid cellulose fibrils thicken and strengthen the cell walls of higher plants. Plasmodesmata that connect the protoplasts of higher plant cells do not have a counterpart in the animal cell model. During telophase of mitosis, a cell plate is formed as the plant cell begins its division. In animal cells, the cell pinches in the center to form two cells; no cell plate is laid down. Centrioles are generally not found in higher plant cells, while they are found in animal cells. Animal cells do not have plastids, which are common in plant cells (chloroplasts). Both cell types have vacuoles, however, in animal cells vacuoles are very tiny or absent, while in plant cells vacuoles are generally quite large. | A plant cell is bounded by a cell wall and the living portion of the cell is within the walls and is divided into two portions: the nucleus, or central control center; and the cytoplasm, a fluid in which membrane bound organelles are found. Between the primary cell walls of adjacent plant cells, lies a pectic middle lamella. There can be a secondary cell wall which would be located just to the inside of the primary wall. Both walls consist mainly of cellulose, but the secondary cell wall may contain lignin and other substances. The outer boundary of the protoplasm (cytoplasm and nucleus) is a sandwich-like, flexible plasma membrane. This membrane regulates what enters and leaves the plant cell. Plant cell organelles include: endoplasmic reticulum, with and without ribosomes attached; Golgi bodies, mitochondria, and plastids. Plastids are chloroplasts, chromoplasts or leucoplasts—depending on the color and likewise the function. Chloroplasts are of specific interest to those