Different bodies, different tissues

The idea

Plants, mostly fixed in place, need support and have rigid cell walls, while mobile animals have flexible cells without walls that suit locomotion; the two also differ in their tissues for nutrition, transport and growth.

Standing still or walking

A mango tree stays in one place and must stay upright. A buffalo walks to the pond. Both are made of cells.

How might their cells differ to suit these ways of living?

• Plant cells give rigidity, animal cells are flexible
• Both have exactly the same kind of cells
• Animal cells are stiffer than plant cells

Plant or animal

Tap the group where each statement belongs.

Built to suit the way of life

Most plants stay in one place, so they need support, and their rigid cell walls give it. Animals move about, and cells without walls can change shape easily. The two also differ in the tissues that handle nutrition, transport and growth.

Plants, mostly fixed in place, need support and have rigid cell walls. Mobile animals have flexible cells without walls that suit locomotion. They also differ in their tissues for nutrition, transport and growth.

Notes

Plants need support, so their cells have rigid walls. Animals move, so their cells are flexible. Their tissues for nutrition, transport and growth differ too.

Check yourself

Why do plant cells have a cell wall?

What helps the body of an animal to be suitable for locomotion (moving from place to place)?

Which pair about nutrition is correct?

Why do the growth patterns of plants and animals differ?

• It lets the cells change shape for walking. Cells with a rigid wall cannot change shape easily. Flexible cells suit animals that move.
• It helps the cells digest food. Digesting food is done by tissues of animals, not by a cell wall.
• It gives rigidity and strength, so the plant can stay firm and upright — correct. Yes!
• Its cells have no rigid wall, so they can change shape easily — correct. Yes!
• Its cells have a thick rigid wall. A rigid wall gives strength and support but makes it hard to change shape.
• Its tissues use sunlight to make food. Using solar energy to make food is done by plant tissues. It does not help an animal move.
• Plants have tissues that digest food, animals have tissues that use solar energy to make food. This swaps them. Animals digest food, and plants use solar energy for photosynthesis.
• Plants have tissues that use solar energy to make food, animals have tissues that digest food — correct. Yes!
• Plants and animals have exactly the same tissues for nutrition. The book says plants and animals differ in their tissues for nutrition.
• Plants are not made of cells. Plants are made of cells, just as animals are. Their growth differs because the tissues for growth differ.
• Animal cells have a cell wall and plant cells do not. It is the other way round. Plant cells have a cell wall and animal cells do not.
• The tissues responsible for growth differ in structure and function — correct. Yes!