Which of the following structures differentiates an animal cell from a plant cell?
Answer Details
The structure that differentiates an animal cell from a plant cell is the chloroplast. Chloroplasts are specialized organelles found in plant cells that are responsible for photosynthesis, the process by which plants convert sunlight into energy. Chloroplasts contain chlorophyll, a pigment that gives plants their green color and is essential for capturing light energy.
Animal cells do not have chloroplasts, which means they cannot undergo photosynthesis. Instead, animal cells rely on other organelles, such as mitochondria, to produce energy through cellular respiration. Mitochondria are present in both animal and plant cells and are responsible for producing the energy currency of the cell, called ATP.
Therefore, the correct option is "Chloroplast" when it comes to the structure that differentiates an animal cell from a plant cell.