CELLS

• The cell is the basic unit of life in all organisms.
• Like humans and animals, plants are also composed of several cells.
• The plant cell is surrounded by a cell wall which is involved in providing shape to the plant cell.
• Apart from the cell wall, there are other organelles that are associated with different cellular activities.
• Plant cells are eukaryotic cells with a true nucleus along with specialized structures called organelles that carry out certain specific functions.
• Plant cells are eukaryotic cells that vary in several fundamental factors from other eukaryotic organisms.
• Both plant and animal cells contain a nucleus along with similar organelles.
• One of the distinctive aspects of a plant cell is the presence of a cell wall outside the cell membrane.
• The plant cell is rectangular and comparatively larger than the animal cell.
• Even though plant and animal cells are eukaryotic and share a few cell organelles, plant cells are quite distinct when compared to animal cells as they perform different functions.
• Just like different organs within the body, plant cell structure includes various components known as cell organelles that perform different functions to sustain itself.
• These organelles include: Cell Wall, Cell Membrane, Nucleus, Nucleolus, Nucleopore, and Plastids.
• The cell wall is a rigid layer which is composed of polysaccharides cellulose, pectin and hemicellulose.
• The cell wall is located outside the cell membrane and also comprises glycoproteins and polymers such as lignin, cutin, or suberin.
• The primary function of the cell wall is to protect and provide structural support to the cell.
• The plant cell wall is also involved in protecting the cell against mechanical stress and providing form and structure to the cell.
• The cell membrane is the semi-permeable membrane that is present within the cell wall.
• The cell membrane plays an important role in regulating the entry and exit of specific substances within the cell.
• The nucleus is a membrane-bound structure that is present only in eukaryotic cells.
• The vital function of a nucleus is to store DNA or hereditary information required for cell division, metabolism and growth.
• The nucleolus manufactures cells’ protein-producing structures and ribosomes.
• Nucleopore are holes in the nuclear membrane that allow proteins and nucleic acids to pass through.
• Leucoplasts are found in the non-photosynthetic tissue of plants and are used for the storage of protein, lipid and starch.
• Chloroplasts are an elongated organelle enclosed by a phospholipid membrane.
• The chloroplast is shaped like a disc and the stroma is the fluid within the chloroplast that comprises a circular DNA.
• Each chloroplast contains a green coloured pigment called chlorophyll required for the process of photosynthesis.
• In plants, the role of lysosomes is undertaken by the vacuoles.
• Cells of a matured and higher plant become specialised to perform certain vital functions that are essential for their survival.
• Ribosomes are the sites for protein synthesis, hence, also referred to as the protein factories of the cell.
• Phloem cells transport food prepared by the leaves to different parts of the plants.
• Tonoplast is a membrane that surrounds the central vacuole.
• Mitochondria are the double-membraned organelles found in the cytoplasm of all eukaryotic cells.
• Plant cells are the building blocks of plants.
• Chlorophyll absorbs light energy from the sun and uses it to transform carbon dioxide and water into glucose.
• The specialised plant cells include parenchyma cells, sclerenchyma cells, collenchyma cells, xylem cells and phloem cells.
• The central vacuole consists of cell sap, a mixture of salts, enzymes and other substances.
• Sclerenchyma Cells are more rigid compared to collenchyma cells and this is because of the presence of a hardening agent.
• Mitochondria provide energy by breaking down carbohydrate and sugar molecules, hence they are also referred to as the “Powerhouse of the cell.”
• Chromoplasts have red, orange and yellow coloured pigments which provide colour to all ripe fruits and flowers.
• Central Vacuole occupies around 30% of the cell’s volume in a mature plant cell.