Plant and Animal Cells

Question 1

What 2 functions does the nucleus have?

Answer 1

It controls the activities of the rest of the cell

It stores the information needed to make new cells and the whole organism

Question 2

Define cell membrane/plasma membrane

Answer 2

Extremely thin, fragile layer made of lipid (fat) and protein. Controls what enters/leaves the cell, so that the composition of the cell can remain constant. It allows simple structures to enter/leave eg. water and oxygen and controls the movement of substances eg. glucose. Very flexible; allows cell to change shape

Question 3

Define mitochondria

Answer 3

Organelles where most of the energy of the cell is released through respiration. They are the power stations/power houses of the cell, providing the energy that the cell needs to do all its other processes.

Question 4

Define ribosomes

Answer 4

Very small organelles that are only visible under an electron microscope. Function is to synthesize proteins.

Question 5

Define cell wall

Answer 5

Made of the tough, thick material cellulose. Helps to keep the cell in shape, and stops the cell from bursting if in water.

Question 6

Define vacuole

Answer 6

Contains watery solution called cell sap. Surrounded by a membrane. Storage for soluble materials for the cell. Maintains the firmness of the cell.

Question 7

Define chloroplasts

Answer 7

Green structures that contain chlorophyll, which absorb light energy to make the plant’s food by photosynthesis.