Which type of cell is characterized by the absence of a cell wall and chloroplasts?

The absence of a cell wall and chloroplasts is a defining feature of animal cells. Unlike plant cells, which have rigid cell walls and contain chloroplasts for photosynthesis, animal cells have a flexible plasma membrane that allows for a variety of shapes and interactions. This structural difference supports the diverse functions of animal cells, including movement and the formation of tissues and organs.

Additionally, while prokaryotic cells are simpler and lack membrane-bound organelles, they also do not possess chloroplasts or a cell wall in the same way eukaryotic cells do. Fungal cells, although they do not have chloroplasts, do have cell walls composed of chitin, which distinguishes them from animal cells. Therefore, the correct answer highlights the specific characteristics that make animal cells unique compared to the other types of cells mentioned.