The main difference between human cheek cells and onion peel cells is the presence of a cell wall in onion peel cells, which is absent in human cheek cells.
Here's a more detailed comparison:
Differences Between Human Cheek Cells and Onion Peel Cells
| Feature | Human Cheek Cell | Onion Peel Cell |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Animal Cell | Plant Cell |
| Cell Wall | Absent | Present (rigid) |
| Shape | Rounded | Brick-like |
| Vacuole | Small | Large |
| Presence of Chloroplasts | Absent | Absent (onion cells don't perform photosynthesis) |
Explanation of Key Differences
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Cell Wall: According to the provided reference, human cheek cells, being animal cells, lack a cell wall. Onion peel cells, on the other hand, being plant cells, have an outermost rigid cell wall. This cell wall provides support and shape to the plant cell.
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Shape: The absence of a rigid cell wall in human cheek cells results in a rounded structure, while the presence of the cell wall in onion peel cells gives them a characteristic brick-like shape.
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Vacuole Size: Human cheek cells have small vacuoles, while onion peel cells possess a large central vacuole that stores water and other substances.
In summary, the presence of a cell wall and the size of the vacuole are primary distinguishing features between these two cell types.
