Plant cell structure

Question 1

are plant cells eukaryotic or prokaryotic?

Answer 1

eukaryotic

Question 2

what are the main features of leaf palisade cells that suit it to its function of photosynthesis?

Answer 2

• Long, thin cells that form a continuous layer to absorb sunlight
• Numerous chloroplasts
• A large vacuole that pushes cytoplasm and chloroplasts to the edge of the cell

Question 3

what are the main features of chloroplasts?

Answer 3

the chloroplast envelope
the grana
the stroma

Question 4

what is the chloroplast envelope?

Answer 4

double plasma membrane that surrounds the organelle, highly selective what enters/leaves the chloroplast

Question 5

what is the grana?

Answer 5

stacks of up to 100 disc like structures called THALKOIDS

where the 1st stage of photosynthesis takes place

Question 6

what is within thylakoids?

Answer 6

photosynthetic pigment called chlorophyll

Question 7

what is stroma?

Answer 7

fluid- filled matrix where the 2nd stage of photosynthesis takes place.

Question 8

what is within the stroma?

Answer 8

number of other structures eg starch grains

Question 9

how are chloroplasts adapted for their function of harvesting sunlight and carrying out photosynthesis?

Answer 9

• The granal membranes provide a large surface area for the attachment of chlorophyll
• The fluid of the stroma possess all enzymes needed for the 2nd stage of photosynthesis
• Chloroplasts contain ribosomes and DNA so can quickly manufacture proteins needed for photosynthesis

Question 10

what does the cell wall consist of?

Answer 10

microfibrils of the polysaccharide cellulose

Question 11

what are the features of cell walls?

Answer 11

• Consist of a number of polysaccharides eg cellulose

* There is a thin layer called the MIDDLE LAMELLA, which marks the boundary between adjacent cell walls

Question 12

what are the functions of the cell wall?

Answer 12

• Provide mechanical strength to whole plant
• Allow water pass along cell wall- contribute movement of water through plant
• Give mechanical strength to prevent cell bursting

Question 13

what are the difference between plant and animal cells?

Answer 13

in plants there are:

• chloroplasts present
• cellulose cell walls
• permanent vacuole
• starch grain for storage

Question 14

how do root hair cells transport water into the cell?

Answer 14

by osmosis

Question 15

how do root hair cells take up mineral ions?

Answer 15

against a concentration gradient by active transport.

use special carrier proteins and ATP