Plant Cells & Chloroplasts The Structures of Photosynthesis

Plant Cells Both plant and animal cells are types of eukaryotic cells. A eukaryotic cell is a complex cell that contains organelles that can carry out complex functions. An organelle is one of the small bodies that are found throughout the cell and that are specialized to perform a specific function. They can be compared to the organs in our bodies.

Plant Cell Organelles: Cell wall: The cell membrane of a plant cell is surrounded by a thick cell wall composed of proteins and carbohydrates.

Plant Cell Organelles: Central vacuole: The central vacuole of a plant cell takes up much of the space of the cell. It stores water, nutrients, and wastes. When the vacuole is full, it makes the cell rigid, which allows the plant to stand upright (turgor pressure).

Plant Cell Organelles: Chloroplasts: Plant cells contain one or more chloroplasts which use light energy to make sugars/carbohydrates from carbon dioxide and water (photosynthesis). Chloroplasts, along with mitochondria, provide much of the energy needed for the cells to function properly. Like mitochondria, chloroplasts contain their own DNA.

Chloroplasts: Granum (stack of pancakes) Inner membrane (identified because chloroplasts have 2 membranes) Thylakoid (single pancake) Stroma (syrup/liquid surrounding the pancakes/thylakoids)