• Explain why animal cells do not require a cell wall or a central vacuole.
Please read Unit 2, Lesson 3, Page 9 to answer this question correctly.
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Animal cells do not require a cell wall because they have other structures that provide them with shape, support, and protection. The primary structure that fulfills this role is the cytoskeleton, which is made up of proteins such as microtubules, microfilaments, and intermediate filaments. The cytoskeleton helps maintain the cell's shape, anchor organelles, and enable cell movement.
Additionally, animal cells do not have a central vacuole like plant cells do. Vacuoles in plant cells are large compartments that store water, nutrients, and waste products. In animal cells, smaller vacuoles may exist but are not as prominent as the central vacuole in plant cells. Instead, animal cells have lysosomes, which are small membrane-bound organelles that store digestive enzymes. Lysosomes play a vital role in intracellular digestion and the breakdown of cellular waste.
Overall, animal cells have evolved different structures and organelles to perform functions similar to those fulfilled by the cell wall and central vacuole in plant cells.