Plant Cell Structure
Laura Armstrong & Joe Wolfensohn
Teachers
Recall Questions
This topic requires prior knowledge of animal cell structure to allow comparison and identification of additional organelles in plant cells.
What is the function of the nucleus?
Contains the genetic material and controls the activity of the cell.
Why are animal cells eukaryotic?
Because they contain a nucleus.
What is the function of the mitochondria?
Aerobic respiration to release energy.
Topic Explainer Video
Check out this @JoeDoesBiology video that explains plant cell structure or read the full notes below. Once you've gone through the whole note, try out the practice questions!
Plant Cell Structure
Plant cells are eukaryotic (so have a nucleus) and have some extra sub-cellular structures compared to animal cells.
Cell Wall
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Made of cellulose.
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Rigid structure that supports and protects the cell.
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Fully permeable to water and dissolved substances.
Permanent Vacuole
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Contains cell sap (a weak solution of sugars and salts).
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Helps maintain internal pressure (turgor) to support the plant.
Chloroplasts
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Contain chlorophyll, the green pigment, which absorbs light.
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Site of photosynthesis – to make glucose.
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Not found in root cells as they are underground and do not receive light.
Nucleus, Cytoplasm, Cell Membrane, Mitochondria, Ribosomes
- Same functions as in animal cells.
Diagram of a Plant Cell
Key Terms
- Organelle – a specialised structure within a cell.
- Eukaryotic cell – cell with a nucleus and membrane-bound organelles.
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Exam Tip
Don’t mix up cell wall and cell membrane. The cell wall is only in plant cells and provides structural support; the membrane controls movement in/out of the cell, and is found in all cells.
The cell wall is on the outside, like the wall of a house!
No answer provided.
Practice Question
Explain two ways in which a plant cell is different from an animal cell. (2 marks)
- A plant cell has a cell wall for support, which an animal cell doesn’t have.
- A plant cell contains chloroplasts for photosynthesis; animal cells do not
Or
A plant cell has a large / permanent vacuole, animal cells do not.
More Practice
Try to answer the practice questions from the TikTok videos on your own, then watch the videos to see how well you did!