How Are Bacteria & Plant Cells Alike?

Bacteria share certain features with plants and animals.
••• Fstop/Photodisc/Getty Images

Since all forms of life on Earth share a common ancestor, they all are related. Consequently, many forms of life share some intriguing similarities. While, for example, plants and bacteria are very different, they are also similar in some ways.

Features

The most striking similarity between bacteria and plants is the universality of the genetic code. Genes in DNA are like coded recipes, in which each triplet of letters specifies a particular amino acid. With a few exceptions, the same triplets specify the same amino acids in bacteria and all other known organisms. With a few exceptions, all known organisms use the same 20 amino acids to form proteins. Although amino acids may exist in "right-handed" or "left-handed" versions, the amino acids used in proteins are all "left-handed."

Cell Walls

Plant cells and bacteria alike have cell walls, strong flexible layers surrounding their cell membranes that help to counteract osmotic pressure so the cell does not burst as water diffuses into it.

Considerations

The cell walls in bacteria and plants have a similar function, but they are made from different materials. Plant cell walls are primarily cellulose, while bacterial cell walls are formed from peptidoglycans.

Related Articles

Similarities Between Bacteria & Protists
How to Compare the Cells of Plants, Animals & Unicellular...
What Types of Bacteria Produce Endospores?
Characteristics of the Six Kingdoms of Organisms
Organelles Found in Both Plant & Bacterial Cells
Where Do Bacteria Live?
How Are Fungi & Plants Similar?
Organelles Involved in Photosynthesis
What Is a Extra Ring of DNA in Bacteria?
What Are the Two Prokaryotic Kingdoms?
Characteristics of Aquatic Plants
Test Your Knowledge on Middle School Science
Deep Ocean Plants
Types of Heterotrophic Bacteria
How Are Conifers & Ferns Different?
How Do Mold Spores Differ From Bacterial Endospores?
What Role Do Decomposers Play in a Food Chain?
How to Calculate Rate of Decrease
Characteristics of Salmonella Bacteria
How Do Bacteria Feed?

Dont Go!

We Have More Great Sciencing Articles!