1.4 Organelles

Question 1

State the key differences between plant and animal cells

Answer 1

Plant cells have a cell wall made of cellulose, which provides structural support, while animal cells lack a cell wall.

Plant cells often have a large central vacuole for storage of water and nutrients, while animal cells may have smaller vacuoles or none at all.

Question 2

Identify the various plant and animal organelles using a light microscope

Answer 2

The nucleus appears as a dark-stained structure.
Mitochondria may appear as small, dot-like structures scattered throughout the cytoplasm.
The cell wall of plant cells may be visible as a rigid, outer boundary.
Other organelles such as ribosomes, endoplasmic reticulum, and Golgi apparatus are generally not visible under a light microscope due to their small size.

Question 3

Nucleus

Answer 3

Contains genetic material (DNA) and controls cellular activities

Question 4

Ribosomes

Answer 4

Site of protein synthesis

Question 5

Mitochondria

Answer 5

Produce energy (ATP)through cellular respiration

Question 6

Chloroplasts

Answer 6

Found in plant cells, where photosynthesis occurs to produce glucose

Question 7

Cell walls

Answer 7

Provides structural support and protection to plant cells

Question 8

Plasma membrane

Answer 8

Regulates the passage of substances in and out of a cell

Question 9

Endoplasmic reticulum (smooth and rough)

Answer 9

Rough ER synthesises proteins while smooth ER synthesises lipids and detoxifies drugs