# Explain why a plant cell has a vacuole and a chloroplast, but an animal cell has neither of these organelles.

> Pearson Edexcel International GCSE Biology (4BI1) — 2.2 Cell structure · Explain · 4 marks

## Mark scheme (4 marks)

1. The vacuole stores cell sap / stores dissolved substances
2. The vacuole supports the plant cell / helps maintain the shape / rigidity of the cell
3. The chloroplast is the site of photosynthesis
4. Animal cells cannot photosynthesise / do not carry out photosynthesis, so they do not need chloroplasts

## Key terms

- [vacuole](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/vacuole)
- [chloroplast](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/chloroplast)
- [organelle](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/organelle)

## Related

- [Revision notes for Pearson Edexcel International GCSE Biology (4BI1)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/learn)
- [How to answer "Explain" questions](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/tools/command-word-cheatsheet)
- [Practice this with AI marking (free)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/start)

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Source: [GradeNine](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/q/explain-why-a-plant-cell-has-c53f6132) · Published by Druglandscape Ltd.