How do animal and plant cells compare in size?

Plant cells are typically much larger than animal cells, with average volumes that are tens to hundreds of times greater. The size difference is due to the presence of a large central vacuole in plant cells, which occupies most of the cell's volume and helps maintain its turgor. Additionally, plant cells typically have larger chloroplasts than animal cells, which are responsible for photosynthesis and are also much larger organelles.

Here are some specific comparisons between animal and plant cell sizes:

- Animal cell size range: 10-100 micrometers (µm)

- Plant cell size range: 10-100 µm (excluding the central vacuole)

- Central vacuole size in plant cells: 50-90% of the cell's volume

- Chloroplast size in plant cells: 5-10 µm

It's important to note that there are some exceptions to these general size ranges. For example, some animal cells, such as muscle cells, can be very long and thin, while some plant cells, such as pollen grains, can be quite small. Additionally, the size of cells can vary depending on the stage of the cell cycle and environmental conditions.