What is a primary difference between plant and animal cells?

The primary difference between plant and animal cells is that plant cells possess a cell wall, chloroplasts, and a large central vacuole, which are features not typically found in animal cells.

The cell wall provides structure and support to the plant cell, allowing it to maintain its shape and withstand internal pressure. Chloroplasts are essential for photosynthesis, the process by which plants convert light energy into chemical energy, enabling them to produce their own food. The large central vacuole serves multiple purposes, including storing nutrients and waste products, maintaining turgor pressure to keep the plant rigid, and playing a role in the plant's growth and development.

While animal cells have their own unique adaptations, such as having more varied shapes and being able to adopt a wider range of functions, they lack these specific features that are crucial for plant life, highlighting a significant distinction between the two types of cells.