Plant and Animal Cell Tutorials

Cells are the smallest living part of all living organisms, including plants and animals. Like the body, cells are made up of many parts that are dependent upon one another to function successfully. Complete understanding of cells is vital to understanding life and biology. Knowing cell parts and functions in plants and animals is an important precursor to further pursuing biology and other similar sciences.

Pictures and Diagrams

  • Plant Cell Anatomy: Offers a cross-section diagram of a plant cell and glossary of plant cell anatomy terms.
  • The Cell: Gives an explanation of the difference between animal and plant cells accompanied by a cell diagram and picture of plant and animal cells.
  • Animal Cell Structure: Provides a detailed diagram of the anatomy of the animal cell, an animal cell micrograph and an in-depth animal cell components glossary.
  • Animal Cells: A schematic represents an animal cell (liver cell). Offers a definition and explanation for each part of the cell.
  • Eucaruotic Cell: An interactive diagram of an animal cell and a plant cell. Mouse over parts to see their names.

Tutorials and Lessons

  • Cells Alive: Internet lesson plan includes viewing models of cells, learning their functions, and the descriptions of cells and their components.
  • Animal and Plant Cells: Tutorial teaches the basics of cell anatomy and the similarities and differences between cells.
  • Focusing on the Cell: Students investigate and explain how all living things are composed of cells. Focuses on distinguishing between animal and plant cells.
  • Comparing Plant and Animal Cells: Printable worksheet has students determine whether different cell parts are of animal or plant origin.
  • The Mixed-Up Cells: Helps students gather information about cells so they may tell the difference between plant and animal cells.

Interactive Simulations and Videos

  • Cell Inspector: Interactive diagrams of different cell types allow students to place the name of the cell within the diagram.
  • Comparison of Plant & Animal Cells: Interactive cell illustrations that let students mouse over the cell parts and receive an explanation of that particular part of the cell.
  • Inside a Cell: Interactive lesson takes you inside a cell, click on an organelle to zoom in and explore a particular part of a cell. Check out plant or animals cells.
  • Plant and Animal Cell Simulation: Interactive 3-D plant and animal cell simulator puts the student right in the middle of a cell.
  • Virtual Cell: Zoom in like you would if you were using an electron microscope. You can zoom, cut, turn, highlight features, see stereographic pairs for 3-D viewing and more.

Additional Resources

  • The Plant Cell: Thorough lesson of plant cells and the similarities between animal and plant cells. Have microscopic images of the plant cells discussed.
  • Cell Organelles: Covers cell theory, the three main components of any plant or animal cell, gives separate information on organelles and other features found in plant cells only.
  • Cells-The Units of Life: A 20 question quiz all about cells. Sample questions: What is the function of the nerve cell? What two structures do plant cells have that animal cells don’t?
  • Cell Quiz: Paper and pencil quiz using computer graphics gives the students the opportunity to show their knowledge of plant and animal cells.
  • Cell Structure and Processes: Uses interactive to show the task of each part of a cell. Take a quiz after learning the material.