Plant cells
This basic structure of a plant cell is shown below – the same plant cell, as viewed with the light microscope, and with the transmission electron microscope.
Animal and plant cells have certain structures in common.
| Function | |
| Cytoplasm | A jelly-like material that contains dissolved nutrients and salts and structures called organelles. It is where many of the chemical reactions happen. |
| Nucleus | Contains genetic material, including DNA, which controls the cell’s activities. |
| Cell membrane | Its structure is permeable to some substances but not to others. It therefore controls the movement of substances in and out of the cell. |
| Mitochondria | Organelles that contain the enzymes for respiration, and where most energy is released in respiration. |
| Ribosomes | A tiny organelle where protein synthesis occurs. |
| Cytoplasm | |
|---|---|
| Function | A jelly-like material that contains dissolved nutrients and salts and structures called organelles. It is where many of the chemical reactions happen. |
| Nucleus | |
|---|---|
| Function | Contains genetic material, including DNA, which controls the cell’s activities. |
| Cell membrane | |
|---|---|
| Function | Its structure is permeable to some substances but not to others. It therefore controls the movement of substances in and out of the cell. |
| Mitochondria | |
|---|---|
| Function | Organelles that contain the enzymes for respiration, and where most energy is released in respiration. |
| Ribosomes | |
|---|---|
| Function | A tiny organelle where protein synthesis occurs. |
Plant cells also have additional structures:
| Function | |
| Chloroplast | Organelles that contains the green pigment, chlorophyll, which absorbs light energy for photosynthesis. Contains the enzymes needed for photosynthesis. |
| Cell wall | Made from cellulose fibres and strengthens the cell and supports the plant. |
| Permanent vacuole | Filled with cell sap to help keep the cell turgid. |
| Chloroplast | |
|---|---|
| Function | Organelles that contains the green pigment, chlorophyll, which absorbs light energy for photosynthesis. Contains the enzymes needed for photosynthesis. |
| Cell wall | |
|---|---|
| Function | Made from cellulose fibres and strengthens the cell and supports the plant. |
| Permanent vacuole | |
|---|---|
| Function | Filled with cell sap to help keep the cell turgid. |
Animal cells may also have vacuoles, but these are small and temporary. In animals, they are commonly used to store or transport substances.