Whether plant or animal, the life of every organism begins as a single cell. The unicellular organisms accomplish their whole life cycle as a single cell. However, in others, the number of cells increases in the course of life. All the cells of our body come from a single cell, the zygote, which is divided continuously to form a multicellular body. In the same manner, other animal and plant cells have their own unique characteristics in terms of reproduction and growth. The cells are not only building blocks of the body of animals or plants; they are functional units of life too.

Cells and Our Bodies

Humans are multicellular organisms that are made of many cells. Cells with a common origin and similar function form tissues in the body such as muscles. Several kinds of tissues may join to form an organ such as the kidney and liver. These organs carry out specific functions for the body. Then many organs work together to form body systems such as the digestive system and circulatory system.

• The Human Body: The site offers information, pictures, and videos about the human body – including information about cells, tissues, organs, body systems and more.
• Red Blood Cells: Basic information about red blood cells in the human body and why they are so important.
• Cells and the Cell Cycle: Cells and the building blocks of life, they are in everything, including plants, animals, and the human body. Learn more about cells on this educational website.

Animal Cells

Animal cells are quite similar to plant cells in terms of their cytoplasm, cell membranes, and ribosomes. However, there are lots of differences as well. Animal cells do not have cell walls to protect the inside of the cell. In addition, animals can think, move, and respond to the environment due to the presence of brain cells.

• What is This? Cell Structure & Function: Click the “what is this?” button to identify different parts of a cell.
• Cell structure: The site provides laboratory information on cell structure, and organelles. Including cell membrane and nucleus.
• Animal Versus Plant cells: The link discusses the similarities and differences between animal and plant cells.
• Is It Plant or Animal?: Learn to tell the difference between animal and plant cells.
• About Nerve cells: The link offers information on different kinds of nerve cells in the human body.
• Biology of cells: The link provides complete information on cells, tissue organs, organ systems and organisms.
• About Cells: The site presents a diagrammatic representation of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells.
• Eukaryotic cells: The site provides interactive animation on eukaryotic cell.

Plant Cells

Plant cells are rigid due to the presence of cell walls that protect the inside of the cell. In addition, plant cell organelles include chloroplasts, which are responsible for photosynthesis. Plants cannot move, since they lack the locomotive organs of animals. However, plants can also respire, or prepare their own food using green leaves, which animals cannot.

• Plant Cells and Their Parts: Basic information about plant cells and what they are made up of.
• About Chloroplast: The site provides brief information on the function of chloroplast in photosynthesis.
• Plant Cell Part Matching Activity: Test your knowledge of plant cells with this interactive challenge.
• Plant Cell Anatomy: A diagram of a plant cell and a glossary of cell terms.
• The Magic School Bus on Photosynthesis: Learn about photosynthesis and how plant cell multiply with Ms. Frizzle
• Inside the cell: Learn about cell in the most interesting manner.
• Plant resources: A list of links on plants for kids.
• Pictures of Plant Cells: Take a look at these plant cell pictures to get a better idea of what they look like through a microscope.
• Plant & Animal cell resources: A list of links on plants cells and animal cells.