Which statement best distinguishes plant cells from animal cells?

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

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand the key structural differences between plant and animal cells. Both cell types share many organelles, such as mitochondria, ribosomes, and a plasma membrane.
2. Step 2: Identify unique features of plant cells. Plant cells typically have a rigid cell wall made of cellulose and contain chloroplasts, which are responsible for photosynthesis.
3. Step 3: Recognize that animal cells lack a cellulose cell wall and chloroplasts, but they do have a plasma membrane and other organelles common to eukaryotic cells.
4. Step 4: Evaluate each statement in the problem by comparing it to these known differences. For example, both plant and animal cells have mitochondria and ribosomes, so statements claiming otherwise are incorrect.
5. Step 5: Conclude that the statement highlighting the presence of a cellulose cell wall and chloroplasts in plant cells, and their absence in animal cells, best distinguishes the two cell types.