Structures present in an animal cell but not in a plant cell include:
- Centrosomes (with centrioles): Animal cells have a centrosome, a microtubule-organizing center near the nucleus that contains a pair of centrioles. These centrioles help organize the assembly of microtubules during cell division and assist in chromosome separation. Plant cells lack centrosomes and centrioles but still can divide by other mechanisms
- Lysosomes : These membrane-bound organelles contain hydrolytic enzymes that digest biomolecules and recycle cellular waste. Lysosomes also help destroy pathogens inside animal cells, such as in immune cells like macrophages. Plant cells generally do not have lysosomes; instead, similar functions are often carried out by vacuoles
In contrast, plant cells have structures like cell walls, chloroplasts, and large central vacuoles that animal cells do not possess
