Plant, Algal and Fungal Cells

Question 1

What is the structure of the cell wall in plant cells?

Answer 1

• Made up of cellulose.
• Contains channels (gaps) known as plasmodesmata

Question 2

What is the function of the cell wall?

Answer 2

• Supports the cell - Contents of the cell press against the cell wall to make it rigid.
• Prevents the cell from bursting - The cell wall can withstand high osmotic pressure.
• Allows exchange of substances between cells - Plasmodesmata connects neighbouring cells.

Question 3

What is the structure of chloroplasts?

Answer 3

• Contain fluid-filled sacs known as thylakoids which are stacked up to form grana.
• Surrounded by a double membrane, enclosing a fluid known as stroma.
• Contain their own DNA and ribosomes.

Question 4

What is the function of chloroplasts?

Answer 4

Site of photosynthesis - These reactions take place in the grana and stroma.

Question 5

What is the structure of the vacuole?

Answer 5

• Contains cell sap
• Surrounded by a selectively permeable membrane known as a tonoplast.

Question 6

What is the function of the vacuole?

Answer 6

Helps to maintain pressure within the cell, which keeps the cell rigid and stops the plant from wilting.

Question 7

What is the structure of algal cells?

Answer 7

• Unicellular or multicellular.
• Contain the same organelles as plant cells.
• Contain chloroplasts with different shapes to those found in plant cells.

Question 8

What is the structure of fungal cells?

Answer 8

• Unicellular or multicellular.
• Do not contain chloroplasts.
• Contain cell walls made up of chitin rather than cellulose.