Page 47 - General and Inorganic Chemistry for Advanced Secondary Schools Students Book Form Five and Six

Biology for Secondary Schools

The plant cell

Task 3.5
Search from reliable internet sources the simulations/videos that show plant cells.
Note down what you have observed.
FOR ONLINE READING ONLY
Figure 3.5 shows a generalised structure of a plant cell as seen under the light

microscope.
Vacuole
Nucleus

Chloroplast
Cell membrane
Cell wall
Mitochondrion
Cytoplasm

Figure 3.5: A generalised structure of a plant cell
Similar to the animal cell, the plant Chloroplasts
cell has a cell membrane, cytoplasm, Chloroplasts are oval organelles that
nucleus, and mitochondria. These contain green pigments in plants.
organelles function in the same way as This pigment is called chlorophyll.
those of an animal cell. However, plant It is important in photosynthesis, the
cells have additional structures which process by which green plants make
serve specific roles in plants. These their own food. Chlorophyll absorbs
structures are: light energy needed for photosynthesis.

The cell wall Cell vacuole
This is an outer cover made of cellulose Plant cells have a large and permanent
that surrounds the cell membrane. The vacuole that usually occupies the
cell wall is fully permeable. It allows central part of the cell. This vacuole
the passage of water and minerals. contains sap and is surrounded by a
The cell wall protects and supports the membrane called tonoplast. The cell
cell. The cell wall gives the plant cell a sap causes the cytoplasm to be pushed
definite shape. outwards against the cell wall. This
makes the cell firm, hence helps plant
cells to maintain their shape.

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