Main Difference – Plant Cell vs Bacterial Cell
Plant cell and bacterial cell are two types of cells that form the body of plants and bacteria, respectively. The plant cell is a eukaryotic cell whereas the bacterial cell is a prokaryotic cell. The main difference between plant cell and bacterial cell is that plant cell contains membrane-bound organelles whereas bacterial cell lacks membrane-bound organelles. Both cells contain a cell wall and cells contain DNA as their genetic material inside the cell. The DNA of the plant cell is arranged in the nucleus. In contrast, the DNA of the bacterial cell is found in the cytoplasm. Most plant cells contain photosynthetic pigments such as chlorophyll. Therefore, plants are autotrophs, which produce their own food through photosynthesis. However, bacterial cells are heterotrophs and depend on the organic materials produced by other organisms. Bacteria are generally identified as decomposers.
Key Areas Covered
1. What is a Plant Cell
– Definition, Characteristics, Role
2. What is a Bacterial Cell
– Definition, Characteristics, Role
3. What are the Similarities Between Plant Cell and Bacterial Cell
– Outline of Common Features
4. What is the Difference Between Plant Cell and Bacterial Cell
– Comparison of Key Differences
Key Terms: Autotrophs, Bacterial Cell, Eukaryotic Cell, Heterotrophs, Membrane-bound Organelles, Photosynthesis, Plant Cell, Prokaryotic Cell
What is a Plant Cell
A plant cell is the structural and functional unit of a plant. Plant cells are eukaryotic cells. They comprise organelles, which are enclosed by double membranes. The genetic material of plant cells is DNA. It is found in the nucleus, which is enclosed by two nuclear membranes. The cell wall of the plant cell is mainly made up of cellulose, proteins and lipids. Plant cells also comprise photosynthetic pigments such as chlorophyll and other carotenoids. These pigments absorb energy from the sunlight to produce simple organic compounds from inorganic molecules. Plant cells contain organelles such as mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus, and ribosomes. Plant cells comprise a permanent vacuole, which stores water and minerals. The structure of a typical plant cell is shown in figure 1.
Figure 1: Plant Cell
The three types of plant cells are parenchyma cells, collenchyma cells, and sclerenchyma cells. The two types of most specialized plant cells are water-conducting cells in the xylem such as tracheids, vessel elements and the conducting cells in the phloem such as sieve elements.
What is a Bacterial Cell
The bacterial cell is the body of the single-celled organism called bacteria. Bacteria are prokaryotic organisms that live in diverse environments. Some bacteria live as parasites as well. Bacterial cells lack membrane-bound organelles. Their genetic material is DNA and it is localized into the nucleoid in the cytoplasm. Some bacterial genes are found in plasmids separately from the genome. Bacterial cells contain 70S ribosomes in the cytoplasm to carry out the protein translation. The cell wall of bacteria is made up of murine. A typical bacterial cell is shown in figure 2.
Figure 2: Bacterial Cell
Bacterial cells can be classified based on the composition of the cell wall: gram-positive bacteria and gram-negative bacteria. The cell wall of the gram-positive bacteria is rich in peptidoglycans. The gram-negative bacteria comprise an outer envelope, enclosing the cell wall. The reproduction of bacterial cells mainly occurs by binary fission. Bacterial cells also undergo sexual reproduction by conjugation.
Similarities Between Plant Cell and Bacterial Cell
- Both plant cell and bacterial cell are composed of a cell wall.
- Both plant cell and bacterial cell are composed of DNA as their genetic material.
- Both plant cell and bacterial cell perform their own metabolic reactions.
Difference Between Plant Cell and Bacterial Cell
Definition
Plant Cell: A plant cell is the structural and functional unit of a plant.
Bacterial Cell: A bacterial cell is a body of a single-celled, prokaryotic organism called bacteria.
Forms
Plant Cell: Plant cells are organized to form a multicellular body of a plant that contains different types of plant cells.
Bacterial Cell: A single bacterial cell is considered as an organism.
Type
Plant Cell: Plant cells are eukaryotic cells.
Bacterial Cell: Bacterial cells are prokaryotic cells.
Cell Wall
Plant Cell: The plant cell wall is made up of cellulose.
Bacterial Cell: The bacterial cell wall is made up of murine.
Cytoskeleton
Plant Cell: Plant cells consist of a cytoskeleton, which is made up of microtubules and microfilaments.
Bacterial Cell: Bacterial cells do not contain a cytoskeleton.
Genetic Material
Plant Cell: The genetic material of the plant cell is arranged into a membrane-bound structure called nucleus.
Bacterial Cell: The genetic material of the bacterial cell can be found in the nucleus.
Plasmids
Plant Cell: Plasmids do not occur naturally in the plant cell.
Bacterial Cell: Bacterial cell consists of plasmids, which contain genes involved in the resistance of bacteria.
Membrane-Bound Organelles
Plant Cell: The plant cell consists of membrane-bound organelles.
Bacterial Cell: Bacterial cell lacks membrane-bound organelles.
Mitochondria
Plant Cell: The plant cell consists of mitochondria, which produce energy for the cell.
Bacterial Cell: The bacterial cell lacks mitochondria.
Ribosomes
Plant Cell: The plant cell consists of 80S ribosomes.
Bacterial Cell: The bacterial cell consists of 70S ribosomes.
Chloroplasts
Plant Cell: The plant cell contains photosynthetic pigments such as chlorophyll.
Bacterial Cell: The bacterial cell lacks any type of a photosynthetic pigment.
Permanent Vacuole
Plant Cell: The plant cell contains a permanent vacuole, which stores water.
Bacterial Cell: The bacterial cell lacks vacuoles.
Cell Division
Plant Cell: The plant cell divides by mitosis or meiosis.
Bacterial Cell: The bacterial cell division occurs by binary fission.
Sexual Reproduction
Plant Cell: Sexual reproduction occurs by the fusion of gametes in plant cells.
Bacterial Cell: Sexual reproduction of the bacterial cells occurs by conjugation.
Types
Plant Cell: The three types of plant cells are parenchyma, collenchyma, and sclerenchyma.
Bacterial Cell: The two types of bacterial cells are gram-positive bacteria and gram-negative bacteria.
Conclusion
Plant cell and bacterial cell are two types of cells. The plant cell is a eukaryotic cell whereas a bacterial cell is a prokaryotic cell. Plant cells comprise membrane-bound organelles such as mitochondria, chloroplast, endoplasmic reticulum, and Golgi apparatus and membrane-enclosed nucleus, containing the genome. Bacterial cells lack membrane-bound organelles, and their genome is arranged into the nucleoid. The main difference between plant cell and bacterial cell is their structure and function.
References:
1. Bailey, Regina. “Learn About Plant Cell Structures and How They’re Like Animal Cells.” ThoughtCo, Available here. Accessed 17 Sept. 2017.
2. Vidyasagar, Aparna. “What Are Bacteria?” LiveScience, Purch, 23 July 2015, Available here. Accessed 17 Sept. 2017.
Image Courtesy:
1. “Plant cell structure-en” By LadyofHats – Self-made using Adobe Illustrator. (The original edited was also made by me, LadyofHats) (Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Prokaryote cell diagram” By Mariana Ruiz LadyofHats – (Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia
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