Why does a plant cell need a cell wall of cellulose whereas an animal cell does not? the cell wall houses chloroplasts, which animal cells do not need. only animals have a cytoskeleton, which serves the same function as a cell wall in plant cells. plant cells receive structure from the cell wall to them remain upright, which animals do not need. water and minerals are transported through plant cell walls, whereas animal cells transport water and minerals through the cell membrane.