Plant cell

• Where does photosynthesis take place?

  In the chloroplast
• What is the structure of the chloroplast?

  It has a double membrane and stroma
• What is the fluid inside the chloroplast called?

  Stroma
• What are thylakoids in the chloroplast?

  Flattened sacs forming a continuous network
• What is a stack of thylakoids called?

  Granum
• What do grana contain?

  Chlorophyll pigments
• How is light energy used in photosynthesis?

  It is trapped by chlorophyll to produce carbohydrates
• What is the overall function of the chloroplast?

  To carry out photosynthesis producing carbohydrates
• What are the raw materials used in photosynthesis?

  Water and carbon dioxide
• What are the key components and functions of chloroplasts?

  • Double membrane structure
  • Contains stroma (fluid)
  • Thylakoids form a network
  • Grana stacks contain chlorophyll
  • Function: Photosynthesis (producing carbohydrates)
• Vacuole 


  • Stores water and other substance
  • Membrane- bound sac in cytoplasm that contains cell sap
  • Maintains turgor to ensure a rigid framework in the cell
  • Membrane-bound sac in the cytoplasm containing cell sap. Maintains the pressure within the cell which gives it a rigid structure. The pressure is called turgor pressure.
• Cell wall


  • For support and protection
  • Made of cellulose forming a sieve-like network
  • Protects and supports each cell and the whole plant
  • Composed of cellulose. Porous to allow water and other substances through. Holds the structure of the cell which together support the plant.
• Tonoplast membrane


  • Controls movement of molecules in and out of the vacuole
  • The partially permeable membrane of the vacuole
  • Selectively permeable to allow small molecules to pass through
  • The membrane surrounding the vacuole. Only allows small molecules through, including water.
• Amyloplasts


  • To store starch
  • A double membrane- bound sac containing starch granules
  • Responsible for the synthesis and storage of starch granules
  • Has a double membrane and contains stores of starch granules. Produces the starch molecules from glucose made by cytoplasm and stores them until needed.
• Middle lamella 


  • To stick cells together
• Plasmodesmata and pits 


  • To allow communication between one cell and another by plant hormones
  • Microscopic channels and which cross the cell walls of plant cells
  • Pores in the cell walls of the xylem
  • Enable transport and communication between individual plant cells
  • Allow water to enter and leave xylem vessels
  • Small channels through the cell wall from one cell to another which enables transport of substances from one cell to another.
  • Pores in the cell walls of the xylem which allows water to be transported between xylem and other cells.