Compare plant and bacterial cells: similarities and differences

Compare the plant and bacterial cells. Can you accomplish this task? Let's remember together the features of the structure of these cells, their vital functions, as well as the features of similarity and difference.

Functional unit of plants

A characteristic feature of plant cells is the presence of green plastids of chloroplasts. These permanent structures are the basis for the flow of photosynthesis. During this process, inorganic substances are converted into carbohydrates and oxygen. Compare the plant and bacterial cells - and you will see that the first type has much larger dimensions. Some of them can be discerned even with the naked eye. For example, large cells of the pulp of watermelon, lemon or orange.

What is common in plant and bacterial cells

Despite the fact that these cells form the organisms of different kingdoms, there are a number of significant similarities between them. They have a general plan of structure and consist of a surface apparatus, cytoplasm and permanent structures - organelles.

Both plants and bacteria contain genetic material. An obligatory component of the superficial apparatus of cells of both types is the cell membrane and the wall. Some bacteria, like plants, have a cytoskeleton that forms their musculoskeletal system. Another similarity is the presence of organelles of movement. Compare the plant and bacterial cells: the green alga of the chlamydomonas is moved by the flagella, and the spirochetes are used for this fibril.

Differences in plant and bacterial cells

The main difference between these cells is the structure and level of development of the genetic apparatus. Bacteria do not have a formed nucleus. They contain a circular DNA molecule, the place of its dislocation is called the nucleoid. Such cells are called prokaryotic. In addition to bacteria, these include blue-green algae.

Compare the plant and bacterial cells. The former are eukaryotic. In their cytoplasm there is a nucleus, in the matrix of which DNA molecules are stored. Bacteria are deprived of many cellular organelles, which determines their low level of organization. They, unlike plant cells, do not have mitochondria, Golgi complex, endoplasmic reticulum, peroxisomes, all types of plastids, including chromo- and leukoplasts.

Differences also affect the chemical composition of the cell wall. The plants in its composition includes a complex carbohydrate cellulose, and the bacteria contain pectin or murine.

So, based on a comparison of the plant and bacterial cells, it can be concluded that along with similar features, there are a number of significant differences between them. First of all, they concern the organization of the genetic apparatus and the presence of organelles.

Vegetative cells are characterized by more progressive features of the structure and processes of life activity in comparison with bacteria, as evidenced by the great diversity of their species and life forms.