The Plant Cell

Attributes and Functions

 Plant Cells

Plant cells are eukaryotic cells, or cells with

a membrane-bound nucleus.
Unlike prokaryotic cells, the DNA in a plant
cell is housed within the nucleus.
In addition to having a nucleus, plant cells
also contain other membrane-bound
organelles (tiny cellular structures) that
carry out specific functions necessary for
normal cellular operation.
Organelles have a wide range of
responsibilities that include everything from
producing hormones and enzymes to
providing energy for a plant cell.
 Plant Cells

Plant cells are similar to animal cells in that they

are both eukaryotic cells and have similar
organelles.
Plant cells are generally larger than animal cells
while animal cells come in various sizes and tend
to have irregular shapes, plant cells are more
similar in size and are typically rectangular or
cube shaped.
A plant cell also contains structures not found in
an animal cell. Some of these include a cell wall,
a large vacuole, and plastids. (Plastids, such as
chloroplasts, assist in storing and harvesting
needed substances for the plant).
Animal cells also contain structures such as
centrioles, lysosomes, and cilia and flagella that
are not typically found in plant cells.
Outer-layer of the cell
Cell Wall
A structural layer surrounding some
types of cells, situated outside the cell
membrane.
It can be tough, flexible, and sometimes
rigid.
It provides the cell with both structural
support and protection, and also acts as
a filtering mechanism.
Cell walls are present in most
prokaryotes except mycoplasma
bacteria, in algae, plants and fungi but
rarely in other eukaryotes including
animals.

Plasma Membrane (plasmalemma or cell membrane)

A thin, flexible, semi-

permeable covering inside the
cell wall.
As a differentially-permeable
surface, the plasma membrane
controls movement of solutes
in and out of the cell.
Synthesis and assembly of cell
wall components
Plasmodesmata
Are tiny strands of
cytoplasm that pass
through pores in plant cell
walls, forming
"connections" or
"pathways" between
adjacent cells.
Inside the cell
Cytoplasm
A soft, gooey-like substance
within the plant cell that
contains organelles, water,
and various life-supporting
materials.
It holds the other structures
of a cell and allows materials
to circulate throughout the
cell.
Cytosol - the semi-fluid part
of a cell's cytoplasm
Cytoskeleton
Arrays of protein filaments
in the cytosol.
is a network of fibres whose
function is to provide
mechanical support to the
cell, including helping to
maintain the cell's shape.
Vacuole
are storage bubbles found in cells.
structure in a plant cell that provides
support and participates in a variety
of cellular functions including storage,
detoxification, protection, and
growth. When a plant cell matures, it
typically contains one large liquid-
filled vacuole.
Helps maintain turgor pressure
pressure (turgidity) inside the cell.
This pressure pushes the plasma
membrane against the cell wall. Plants
need turgidity to maintain rigidity.
Nucleus
Spherical and surrounded by
a double membrane.
control center of the cell
It controls all the activities
within the plant cell and
stores genetic materials.
Nucleolus (inside the nucleus)
A round body located inside the
nucleus of a plant cell. It is not
surrounded by a membrane, but sits in
the nucleus.

The nucleolus is located within the

nucleus and is the site of synthesis of:

transfer RNA
ribosomal RNA
ribosomal subunits
Stores the RNA and proteins.
Nuclear Membrane (enclosing the
nucleus)
The nuclear membrane is also
known as the nuclear envelope
and encloses the contents of
the nucleus of the cell -
separating the contents of the
nucleus from the rest of the
cell.
Nuclear pores in the nuclear
membrane enable various
substances, such as nutrients
and waste products, to pass into
and out of the nucleus.
Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum (RER)
looks like the folded sheets and has
specks on the outside surface.
the site of protein synthesis (which
takes place within the ribosomes
attached to the surface of the RER)
as well as storage of proteins and
preparation for secretion of those
proteins.
transport materials through the
cell and produces proteins in sacks
called cisternae (which are sent to
the Golgi body, or inserted into the
cell membrane).
Ribosomes
Small, circular particles made of
RNA and proteins.
They produce proteins.
Take part in the synthesis of
some proteins by catalyzing the
formation of those proteins
from individual amino acids
(using messenger RNA as a
template). Examples of proteins
catalyzed by ribosomes include
glycoproteins, lysosome
proteins, membrane proteins and
some organelle proteins.
Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum (SER)
the folded sheets without the
ribosomes hence the term smooth.
the site of lipid synthesis and
secretion within cells.
Smooth ER transport materials
through the cell. It contains
enzymes and produces and digests
lipids (fats) and membrane
proteins; smooth ER buds off from
rough ER, moving the newly-made
proteins and lipids to the Golgi
body and membranes
Mitochondria
Spherical to rod-shaped organelles
with a double membrane.
The inner membrane is infolded
many times, forming a series of
projections (called cristae).
The mitochondrion converts the
energy stored in glucose into ATP
(adenosine triphosphate) for the
cell.
Contains its own DNA, and is
believed to have originated as a
captured bacterium.
Chloroplasts
An elongated or disc-shaped organelle containing
chlorophyll.
Uses the sun's energy to make plant food, glucose.
Surrounded by a double membrane, containing stacked
thylakoid membranes. (thylakoid disk - are disk-shaped
membrane structures in chloroplasts that contain
chlorophyll. Chloroplasts are made up of stacks of
thylakoid disks; a stack of thylakoid disks is called a
granum. Photosynthesis (the production of ATP
molecules from sunlight) takes place on thylakoid
disks.)
Responsible for photosynthesis, the trapping of light
energy for the synthesis of sugars.
Contains DNA, and like mitochondria it is believed to
have originated as a captured bacterium.
stroma - part of the chloroplasts in plant cells, located
within the inner membrane of chloroplasts, between
the grana.
Golgi Body
(also called the golgi
apparatus or golgi complex)
a flattened, layered, sac-like
organelle that looks like a
stack of pancakes and is
located near the nucleus.
The golgi body packages
proteins and carbohydrates
into membrane-bound vesicles
for "export" from the cell.
Microtubles
hollow rods that function
primarily to help support and
shape the cell.
facilitate addition of cellulose to
cell wall
form the spindles and cell plates
of dividing cells
play a role in cytoplasmic
streaming (i.e. moving the fluid
cytoplasm within the cell) e.g.
to/from chloroplasts.
Amyloplast
non-pigmented organelles
found in some plant cells.
an organelle in some plant
cells that stores starch.
Amyloplasts are found in
starchy plants like tubers
and fruits.
Convert starch back into
sugar when the plant needs
energy.
Centrosome
(also called the "microtubule
organizing center")
A small body located near the
nucleus.
It has a dense center and radiating
tubules.
Is where microtubules are made.
During cell division (mitosis), the
centrosome divides and the two parts
move to opposite sides of the
dividing cell. Unlike the centrosomes
in animal cells, plant cell centrosomes
do not have centrioles.
Peroxisomes
tiny structures bound by a
single membrane that
contain enzymes that
produce hydrogen peroxide
as a by-product. These
structures are involved in
plant processes such as
photorespiration.
Types of Plant Cells
Plant cells are eukaryotic cells that are similar to animal
cells. As a plant matures, its cells become specialized. There
are a number of important specialized types of plant cells.
Some examples of specialized plant cells include:
Parenchyma Cells
Collenchyma Cells
Sclerenchyma Cells
Water Conducting Cells
Sieve Tube Members
Parenchyma Cells
are usually depicted as the typical
plant cell because they are not
very specialized. These cells
synthesize (by photosynthesis)
and store organic products in the
plant. Most of the plant's
metabolism takes place in these
cells. Parenchyma cells compose
the middle layer of leaves as well
as the outer and inner layers of
stems and roots. The soft tissue
of fruits is also composed of
parenchyma cells.
Collenchyma Cells
have a support function in
plants, particularly in young
plants. These cells help to
support plants while not
restraining growth due to
their lack of secondary cell
walls and the absence of a
hardening agent in their
primary cell walls.
Sclerenchyma Cells
also have a support function
in plants, but unlike
collenchyma cells, they have
a hardening agent and are
much more rigid. These cells
are thick and contain various
shapes. Sclerenchyma cells
form the hard outer shell of
nuts and seeds. They are
found in stems, roots, and
leaf vascular bundles.
Types of Cells
Water Conducting Cells
Water conducting cells of xylem
also have a support function in
plants but unlike collenchyma
cells, they have a hardening agent
and are much more rigid. Two
types of cells compose xylem.
They are narrow, hollow cells
called tracheids and vessel
members. Gymnosperms and
seedless vascular plants contain
tracheids, while angiosperms
contain both tracheids and vessel
members.
Sieve Tube Members
Sieve tube cells of phloem
conduct organic nutrients
such as sugar throughout
the plant. Other cell types
found in phloem include
companion cells, phloem
fibres, and parenchyma
cells.