Biology Flashcards
Magnification
Image size/Actual size
Factors that affect rate of diffusion
- Surface area
- Temperature
- Concentration gradient
- Distance
Turgor pressure
The pressure of the water pushing against the cell wall. Helps plants to maintain their structure.
Turgid - fat
Flaccid - normal
Plasmolysed - ryan
Cell membrane
- Made of fat and proteins
- Holds together the cell contents, such as the nucleus and cytoplasm
- Partially permeable
Cytoplasm
- Jelly-like substance; its main component (around 70%) is water
- It fills all the space inside the cell (except the space that is occupied by the nucleus and other structures)
- Many chemical reactions take place in the cytoplasm
Nucleus
- A rounded organelle
- Located in the centre of animal cells, and towards the edge of plant cells
- Contains chromosomes, which are made of DNA
- DNA carries the genetic information of the organism
- The nucleus controls all the activities of the cell (the cell’s metabolism)
Cell wall
- The outermost structure in all plant cells
- It is mostly made of cellulose fibres. Slightly elastic.
- Provide shape and support to the cell and prevent it from bursting when it absorbs water
- This is how tall trees can keep upright even though they do not have a skeleton: the strong cellulose cell walls of the individual cells support the tree
Vacuole
- Fills most of the space inside the plant cell.
- It also contains some chemicals, such as mineral salts, lipids, proteins and pigments. (Pigments are substances that give colour to flowers and other structures.)
- It helps the cell to stay rigid.
- Within the vacuole, substances can be stored and waste materials can be broken down.
Chloroplasts
- Green oval structures
- Found in cytoplasm
- Green because of chlorophyll - Traps light energy and converts it
- Starch grains inside for food store
Test for reducing sugars
- Benedict’s solution at 80 to 100 degrees
- Positive result: Changes from light blue to green, then yellow, and red.
- Negative result: Remains blue
Test for starch
Iodine solution
Positive result: Dark blue
Negative: Remains brown
Test for fats and oils
- Ethanol used to dissolve fat or oil
- Filtered and filtrate is added to water
Positive: Cloudy white precipitate in water
Negative: Transparent
Test for protein
- Biuret solution
Positive: Purple
Negative: Remains blue
Adapations of leaves
- Large surface area (take in a lot of sunlight and CO2)
- Light does not travel far
- Stomata allows gas exchange
- Xylem and phloem close to mesophyll cells (supply water to cells and remove products)
- Stem and leaf stalks (hold leaves out for sunlight and CO2)
Use of glucose in plants
- Used instantly to meet energy demands
- Used to transport chemical energy to where it is needed
- Converted into long chains known as starch for storage
- Glucose is highly reactive so it is formed into sucros for transport
Waxy cuticle
Stops water from evaporating from the leaf
Guard cells
Open or close the stomata to allow diffusion also contains chloroplasts
Stomata
Small openings on the underside that allow diffusion of gases in and out of the leaf
Epidermis
Thin layers of cells that protect the inner cells and do not contain cholorplasts
Palisade mesophylll layer
Contains closely packed cells that have lots of chloroplasts
Spongy mesophyll layer
Cells are loosely spaced in this layer to allow diffusion of gases throughout the leaf
Xylem
Carries water from the roots to the leaf