Plant vs animal cells Which structure is present in both typical plant cells and typical animal cells?

Introduction / Context:
Distinguishing features of plant and animal cells is a foundational topic. While plants have unique structures such as cell walls, chloroplasts, and a large central vacuole, there are organelles shared by both lineages. Identifying what they have in common helps anchor comparative cell biology and avoids stereotyping organelles as plant- or animal-exclusive when they are not.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• We compare typical, mature plant and animal cells.
• We focus on widely accepted structural features.
• Shared organelles should be core components of eukaryotic cells.

Concept / Approach:
Mitochondria are universal among aerobic eukaryotes, conducting the citric acid cycle and oxidative phosphorylation. Plants also possess mitochondria in addition to chloroplasts. Cell walls, chloroplasts, and a prominent central vacuole characterize plant cells; animal cells generally lack these structures. Plasmodesmata are plant-specific intercellular channels.

Step-by-Step Solution:

Verification / Alternative check:
Electron micrographs and biochemical evidence (e.g., mitochondrial DNA, respiratory chains) confirm mitochondria in both plant and animal cells. Plants need mitochondrial respiration particularly in non-photosynthetic tissues and during the night.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• Cell walls: typical animal cells lack a cellulose wall.
• Central vacuoles: prominent in plants; animals may have small vesicles but not a central vacuole.
• Chloroplasts: absent in animals.
• Plasmodesmata networks: plant-specific intercellular connections.

Common Pitfalls:
Assuming chloroplasts replace mitochondria in plants; both coexist because many biosynthetic and respiratory demands require mitochondrial ATP and metabolic integration.

Final Answer:
Mitochondria