PLANT CELLS

WHAT IS A PLANT CELL ? A plant cell is defined as a cell which has a nucleus and organelles bounded by a think and rigid cell wall. Within these rigid cell walls, there are chloroplast organelles that contain chlorophyll. The chlorophyll then converts sunlight into energy and gives plant cells their green color.

Vocabulary Cell Membrane Cell Wall Cytoplasm Cytoskeleton Chloroplast Nucleus Ribosomes Lysosomes Mitochondria Endoplasmic-Reticulum Golgi Apparatus Peroxisomes Vacuole Plasmodesmata- Vesicle

Cell Membrane The cell membrane helps protect the cell and helps regulate molecules that are entering or leaving the cell. The cell membrane is a thin biological layer that contains the cytoplasm and all the organelles of the cell. You can think of this membrane as the security guards controlling who is allowed to enter and leave the cell.

Cell Wall The cell wall is the cells main protection and barrier of the plant cell. This barrier is built mostly of cellulose fibers which provide the structure and support of the cell wall. Cell walls are think and are able to bond together to provide the structure of the plant.

Cytoplasm The cytoplasm helps hold the cell’s organelles in place. The cytoplasm is a jelly-like liquid that fills the inside of a cell. This is important to the cell because it gives it structure and holds the organelles in place. Without it, the cell would not have a shape and would end up looking like a deflated balloon.

Cytoskeleton The cytoskeleton helps in providing structural support for the cell. It contains a network of fiber that are organized and also help structure the organelles within the cell. The cytoskeletons primary job is to give structural support to organelles. It also helps move substances within the cell. Its main components are the microfilaments, intermediate filaments, and the microtubules.

Chloroplast The chloroplast converts sunlight into energy by a process called photosynthesis. The chloroplast contains chlorophyll, which is a molecule that uses light energy to turn water and carbon dioxide into sugar and oxygen (also known as photosynthesis). The chlorophyll, which is inside the plant cell is what causes most plants to be green.

Nucleus The nucleus stores DNA and coordinates the cell’s activities, and is basically the cells brain. This also called the control center of the cell, this is because it has instructions for all the other parts of the cell to do their jobs right.

Ribosomes The ribosomes build protein for the cells to use. When you look at a picture of a cell, the ribosomes look like little dots that float around the cell or are attached to some of the organelles. Ribosomes can found in every kind of cell, including animal cells.

Lysosomes Lysosomes help in breaking down waste into simple compounds for other organelles to use. They play a vital role in maintaining the cell and keeping it healthy. Lysosomes work together with other organelles, such as the mitochondria, which converts the nutrients into energy.

Mitochondria The mitochondria converts oxygen and nutrients into energy. Their function is to produce energy for the cell. The number of mitochondria within a cell varies depending on the cell type. The mitochondria organelles are the powerhouse of the cell.

Endoplasmic Reticulum The endoplasmic reticulum helps in manufacturing and transporting chemical compounds to and from the nucleus. If a cell does not have a nucleus then the ER will also not exist. Therefore, the ER organelle exists in eukaryotic cells, in both plants and animals. However, the ER is not found in prokaryotic cells like bacteria cells, because they do not have a nucleus.

Golgi Apparatus Golgi Apparatus modifies proteins and fats that are built in the cell and prepares them for storage or transports them outside the cell. The body of receives simple proteins from the ER. It modifies these proteins to match the organism’s needs. Once it is packaging the new protein in a new vesicle, sometimes lysosome.

Peroxisomes The peroxisomes digest toxic materials in the cell. Both plant and animal cells have peroxisomes. This cell organelle does a similar job as the mitochondria organelle. However, it only has a single-wall membrane which holds it all together. Their main job is to transform nutrients into energy.

Vacuole The vacuole stores waste products and maintains the PH level of the cell. It is used in a plants daily functions of the plant cell, such as helping strengthening the cell wall. The size of he vacuole is important to the function of the cell. If it increases in size then the cell will also increase in size.

Plasmodesmata The plasmodesmata enables transport of materials and communication to adjacent cells. Can only be found in plant cells. They act like bridges helping plant cells communicate and share with one another. The plasmodesmata allows all the molecules and substances to move from plant cell to plant cell.

Vesicle The vesicle transports materials within the cell and helps to store enzymes. The vesicles are bubble-like organelles that are made of a membrane and are full of fluid. Vesicles have lots of important jobs within the cell. In some ways, they are like the trucks that carry food and supplies across the country.

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