What is a primary distinction of plant cells compared to animal cells?

The primary distinction of plant cells compared to animal cells is their presence of a cell wall and chloroplasts. The cell wall, composed mainly of cellulose, provides structural support and rigidity, helping to maintain the shape of the plant. This is absent in animal cells, which have only a flexible plasma membrane. Chloroplasts are organelles that contain chlorophyll and are essential for photosynthesis, allowing plants to convert sunlight into energy. Animal cells do not have chloroplasts and therefore cannot perform photosynthesis, relying instead on the consumption of organic matter for energy.

While mitochondria are found in both plant and animal cells, they serve as the powerhouse for energy production in both types, so their presence does not distinguish the two. Lysosomes are also present in both cell types but are generally more abundant in animal cells, serving as the digestive system of the cell to break down waste material. Every living cell, regardless of type, has a nucleus containing the cell's genetic material, so the option regarding the absence of a nucleus does not serve as a distinguishing feature between plant and animal cells.