Which of the following parts are found in both plant and animal cells ?

Plant and animal cells share several fundamental structures essential for life. Both cell types possess a cell membrane (plasma membrane) that regulates the movement of substances, a nucleus that houses genetic material, and cytoplasm where various metabolic activities occur [3]. While both may contain vacuoles, they differ significantly; plant cells typically have a large central vacuole for structural support, whereas animal cells have much smaller, temporary ones [2]. Key distinctions include the cell wall and chloroplasts, which are present in plant cells but absent in animal cells [3]. The cell wall provides rigid support to plants, and chloroplasts enable photosynthesis [4]. Therefore, the combination of cell membrane, cytoplasm, and nucleus represents the basic parts found in both cell types [3].

Sources

1. [1] Science ,Class VIII . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 2: The Invisible Living World: Beyond Our Naked Eye > A step further > p. 13
2. [3] Science ,Class VIII . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 2: The Invisible Living World: Beyond Our Naked Eye > Activity 2.3: Let us investigate > p. 12
3. [2] Science ,Class VIII . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 2: The Invisible Living World: Beyond Our Naked Eye > 2.5 Why Is Cell Considered to Be a Basic Unit of Life? > p. 24
4. [4] https://www.nature.com/scitable/topicpage/plant-cells-chloroplasts-and-cell-walls-14053956/