Which statement best describes a key difference between typical plant and animal cells?

• A. Plant cells usually have a cellulose cell wall and chloroplasts, whereas animal cells lack both.
• B. Animal cells have mitochondria but plant cells do not.
• C. Animal cells usually have a cellulose cell wall and chloroplasts, whereas plant cells lack both.
• D. Plant cells have ribosomes but animal cells do not.

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the main structural components that differentiate plant and animal cells by recalling their unique organelles and cell features.
2. Recall that plant cells have a rigid cell wall made of cellulose, which provides structural support, while animal cells do not have a cell wall.
3. Remember that plant cells contain chloroplasts, the organelles responsible for photosynthesis, which are absent in animal cells.
4. Note that both plant and animal cells have mitochondria, which are involved in energy production, so the statement claiming animal cells have mitochondria but plant cells do not is incorrect.
5. Understand that ribosomes are present in both plant and animal cells, so any statement suggesting ribosomes are exclusive to one type is false.