1. Photosynthesis: Plants have specialized cells called chloroplasts containing chlorophyll, a green pigment that captures sunlight. Through photosynthesis, plants use the energy from sunlight to convert carbon dioxide and water into glucose (sugar) and oxygen. Animals, on the other hand, lack chloroplasts and cannot perform photosynthesis. They rely on consuming plants or other organisms for their energy needs.
2. Energy Source: Plants primarily obtain their energy from sunlight through photosynthesis. Animals obtain their energy from consuming other organisms. Herbivores feed on plants, carnivores eat other animals, and omnivores consume both plants and animals.
3. Nutrition: Plants are autotrophs, which means they can synthesize their own food. They absorb water and essential nutrients, such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, from the soil through their roots. Animals, on the other hand, are heterotrophs; they must consume other organisms to obtain essential nutrients.
4. Storage of Reserves: Plants store excess glucose as starch in chloroplasts, roots, stems, and seeds. Animals store excess energy in fat cells or as glycogen, a complex carbohydrate found in muscles and the liver.
5. Locomotion: Plants are generally stationary and rooted in the ground. Animals have evolved various means of locomotion, such as walking, running, flying, swimming, and crawling, to move from place to place.
6. Cellular Respiration: Both plants and animals perform cellular respiration to release energy from glucose. This process occurs in the mitochondria, where oxygen is used to break down glucose and generate ATP (adenosine triphosphate), the primary energy currency of cells.
7. Oxygen and Carbon Dioxide Exchange: During photosynthesis, plants release oxygen and absorb carbon dioxide. During cellular respiration, plants and animals both release carbon dioxide and consume oxygen.
8. Reproduction: Plants can reproduce both sexually and asexually. Asexual reproduction involves the production of offspring genetically identical to the parent plant, while sexual reproduction involves the fusion of gametes (pollen and ova) to create genetically diverse offspring. Animals primarily reproduce sexually, involving the fusion of sperm and egg cells.
9. Multicellularity: While both plants and animals are multicellular organisms, their body organization and tissue specialization differ. Plants have specialized tissues such as xylem and phloem for transporting water, nutrients, and sugars. Animals have a more complex arrangement of tissues, organs, and organ systems that perform specialized functions.
These differences in cellular activities reflect the distinct adaptations and survival strategies of plants and animals in their respective habitats.