plant cells under a light microscope

• circular green structures called chloroplasts can be observed which are the site of photosynthesis. they contain a green pigment called chlorophyll which absorbs the light needed for this process.
• vacuoles contain a liquid called cell sap. which us a mixture of sugars, amino acids, mineral salts and waste chemicals. this organelle supports a plant cell when water enters by osmosis so making it turgid. it is also a storage area for sugars and amino acids. the organelle is surrounded by a membrane called a tonoplast.
• the cell wall consists of fibres which are made of a carbohydrate called cellulose. thus is the non-living part of a cell. this part of the cell provides mechanical strength to support the cell. where the cells walls of adjacent cells meet is called the middle lamellae. it is made of a jelly substance called pectates which hold the cells together. at certain points are holes or pores called plasmodesmata. these allow cytoplasm to pass from one cell to another allowing communication between the two cells to take place.