Plant Cells

Structurally, all of the animal and plant cells are eukaryotic cells, so they are very similar. They all contain membrane-bound organelles such as nuclei, mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi, lysosomes and peroxisomes. Both contain similar membranes, cytosol and cytoskeletal elements. The function of these two organelles is very similar between the two types of cells (peroxisomes play a more complicated function in plant cells associated with cell respiration). However, some differences between plants and animals are very important and reflect the functional differences of each cell.

Plant cells can be larger than animal cells. The normal range of animal cells is 10 to 30 microns, and the normal range of plant cells is 10 to 100 microns. In addition to size, the main structural difference between plant cells and animal cells is some additional structures found in plant cells. Chloroplasts, cell walls and vacuoles

In animal cells, mitochondria produce most cellular energy from food. It is not the same function in plant cells. Plant cells use sunlight as an energy source; in processes called photosynthesis, sunlight must be converted into energy within the cell. Chloroplasts are structures that fulfill this function. They contain a very large bilayer structure (about 5 microns wide) containing chlorophyll and absorbing sunlight. Additional membrane of chloroplast contains structure for actual photosynthesis

Chloroplasts perform energy conversion through a series of complex reactions resembling animal mitochondria. The double membrane structure of chloroplast also reminiscent of mitochondria. The inner membrane resembles a matrix in the mitochondria and surrounds a region called pores that contains DNA, RNA, ribosomes and various enzymes. However, chloroplasts usually contain a third membrane layer that is larger than mitochondria.

Another structural difference between plant cells is the presence of a stiff cell wall around the cell membrane. Wall thickness is 0.1 ~ 10 microns, made of fat and sugar. Durable walls provide additional stability and protection to plant cells

Vacuolus is a cellular organelle filled with large liquid found only in plant cells. The vacuoles occupy 90% of the cell volume and have only one membrane. Although their main functions are as intracellular space fillers, they can also satisfy digestive function as lysosomes (lysosomes also exist in plant cells). Vacuum can be used internally as a nutrient for storage or as mentioned above many enzymes with multiple functions are provided to provide a place for degrading undesirable substances Including.

Cell wall (plant cells only): Plant cells have a rigid protective cell wall composed of polysaccharides. In higher plant cells, the polysaccharide is typically cellulose. The cell wall provides and maintains the shape of these cells and acts as a protective barrier. The liquid is collected in the vacuole of the plant cell and pushed toward the cell wall. This inflation pressure will brittle fresh vegetables. Chloroplasts (plant cells only): Chloroplasts are specialized organelles found in all higher plant cells. These organelles contain the chlorophyll of plant cells and are involved in the greenness of plants and the ability to absorb energy from sunlight. This energy is used to convert water and atmospheric carbon dioxide into metabolizable sugars through biochemical processes of photosynthesis. The chloroplast has a double outer membrane. There are other membrane structures - thylakoids in the matrix. Thylakoids are displayed on the stack "grana" (singular form = granum).

Plant cells are eukaryotic cells or cells with membrane-bound nuclei. Unlike prokaryotic cells, DNA in plant cells is contained in the nucleus of the envelope. In addition to having nuclei, plant cells also include other membrane-bound organelles (microcellular structures) that perform the specific functions necessary for normal cell manipulation. Organelle is responsible for a wide range of responsibilities, from production of hormones and enzymes to supply of energy to plant cells.