* Chloroplasts: These are the most obvious difference. Chloroplasts are the sites of photosynthesis, allowing plants to produce their own food using sunlight. Animal cells lack chloroplasts.
* Cell Wall: A rigid cell wall made of cellulose surrounds the cell membrane of Elodea cells, providing structural support and protection. Animal cells lack a cell wall.
* Large Central Vacuole: Plant cells, like Elodea, have a large central vacuole that occupies a significant portion of the cell's volume. This vacuole stores water and nutrients, helps maintain cell turgor pressure, and plays a role in waste disposal. Animal cells might have smaller vacuoles, if any.
* Plasmodesmata: These are small channels that connect adjacent plant cells, allowing communication and transport of substances between them. Animal cells do not have plasmodesmata.
While Elodea cells do have other organelles in common with animal cells, like the nucleus, mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum, and Golgi apparatus, the presence of chloroplasts, cell wall, large central vacuole, and plasmodesmata are what set them apart from animal cells.
