Plant and Animal Cell Simulation

Cells are the basic unit of structure and function in living things. If you look inside cells, there are even smaller structures called organelles. Each organelle has a different function within a cell. Learn about plant and animal cell organelles in this interactive 3D simulation. View the cells from any angle by clicking and dragging, select a plant structure to learn more about its function.

Plant cells contain two organelles that animal cells do not have. Plant cells have cell walls that are made mostly of cellulose. Chloroplasts produce food in plant cells. Animal cells lack chloroplasts and a cell wall. Because animal cells lack chloroplasts, animals are unable to produce their own food.

Animal cells lack chloroplasts and a cell wall. Because animal cells lack chloroplasts, animals are unable to produce their own food.

The nucleus contains nearly all the cell's DNA and with it the coded instructions for making proteins and other important molecules. The nucleus is surrounded by a nuclear envelope. The granular material inside the nucleus is called chromatin. The dense region inside the nucleus is called the nucleolus. The nucleolus is where the assembly of ribosomes begins.

There are two types of endoplasmic reticulum (ER), each with its own function. Rough ER is involved in protein synthesis. Rough ER gets its name from the ribosomes that are found on its surface. Smooth ER contains enzymes that perform specialized tasks, such as synthesis of membrane lipids. Smooth ER does not have ribosomes on its surface.