1.1 Plant cell structure

• What is cell wall?

  • Made of cellulose microfibrils
  • Interwoven into a mesh
  • In matrix of hemicellulose + pectin
  • That glue microfibrils together -> plant cell wall

  -Gives cell structure & rigidity

  -Allows it to be turgid
• What is cellulose?

  • beta-glucose monomers
  • Joined together by 1,4 glyosidic bonds
  • In condensation reaction
  • Every other monomer flipped 180°
  • To form long unbranched chain
  • H bonds between OH groups - strength
• How is cellulose organised into?

  • Microfibrils
  • 60-70 parallel cellulose chains
  • Held together by polysaccharide glue: hemicellulose + pectin
• What is middle lamella?

  • Outer layer of cell wall
  • Made of pectin (calcium pectate)
  • Glues adjacent cells together

  = Structure to plant
• What is a plasmodesma?

  • Cytoplasmic connection between cells
  • Allows adjacent cells to communicate
• What is a vacoule?

  • Fluid filled space with cell sap
  • Permanent
  • Tonoplast membrane
• What are amyloplasts?

  • Starch grains
  • That store amylopectin