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SBT 204 SEM 2 2024/2025

Topic 1

Topic 1

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SBT 204: Plant Structure and Function

Topic one

Cell structure and plant tissues

What is a Plant Cell?

Plant cells are eukaryotic cells with a true nucleus along with specialized structures called organelles
that carry out certain specific functions.”

One of the distinctive aspects of a plant cell is the presence of a cell wall outside the cell membrane.

Plant Cell Diagram

· 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.

· Some of these differences can be clearly understood when the cells are examined under an
electron microscope.

Plant cell diagram

Plant Cell Structure

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

· It is a rigid layer which is composed of cellulose, glycoproteins, lignin, pectin and hemicellulose.
· It is located outside the cell membrane.

· It comprises proteins, polysaccharides and cellulose.

· 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

· to provide form and structure to the cell.

· It also filters the molecules passing in and out of the cell.

· The formation of the cell wall is guided by microtubules. It consists of three layers, namely,
primary, secondary and the middle lamella. The primary cell wall is formed by cellulose laid down by
enzymes.

Raphid crystal

needle-shaped crystals of calcium oxalate monohydrate (prismatic monoclinic crystals) or calcium

carbonate as aragonite (dipyramidal orthorhombic crystals), found in more than 200 families of plants.

Cell membrane

· It is the semi-permeable membrane that is present within the cell wall.

· It is composed of a thin layer of protein and fat.

· The cell membrane plays an important role in regulating the entry and exit of specific substances
within the cell.
· For instance, cell membrane keeps toxins from entering inside, while

· nutrients and essential minerals are transported across.

Nucleus

· 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.

Nucleolus: It manufactures cell’s protein-producing structures and ribosomes.

Nucleopore: Nuclear membrane is perforated with holes called nucleopore that allows proteins and
nucleic acids to pass through.

Plastids

· They are membrane-bound organelles that have their own DNA.

· They are necessary to store starch,

· to carry out the process of photosynthesis.

· It is also used in the synthesis of many molecules, which form the building blocks of the cell.

· Some of the vital types of plastids and their functions are stated below:

a) Leucoplasts
· They are found in non-photosynthetic tissues of plants.

· They are used for the storage of protein, lipid and starch.

b) Chloroplasts

· It is an elongated organelle enclosed by 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.

· The chlorophyll absorbs light energy from the sun and uses it to transform carbon dioxide and
water into glucose.

c) Chromoplasts

· Are responsible for pigment synthesis and for storage in photosynthetic eukaryotic organisms.

· Chromoplasts have red, orange and yellow coloured pigments which provide colour to all ripe
fruits and flowers.

Central Vacuole

· It occupies around 30% of the cell’s volume in a mature plant cell.

· Tonoplast is a membrane that surrounds central vacuole.

· The vital function of central vacuole apart from storage is to sustain turgid pressure against the cell
wall.

· The central vacuole consists of cell sap. It is a mixture of salts, enzymes and other substances.

Golgi Apparatus

· They are found in all eukaryotic cells which are involved in distributing synthesized
macromolecules to various parts of the cell.

Ribosome

· They are the smallest membrane-bound organelles which comprise RNA and protein.

· They are the sites for protein synthesis, hence, also referred to as the protein factories of the cell.

Mitochondria

· They are the double-membraned organelles found in the cytoplasm of all eukaryotic cells.

· They provide energy by breaking down carbohydrate and sugar molecules, hence they are also
referred to as the “Powerhouse of the cell.”

Lysosome

· Lysosomes are called suicidal bags as they hold digestive enzymes in an enclosed membrane.

· They perform the function of cellular waste disposal by digesting worn-out organelles, food
particles and foreign bodies in the cell.
Plant Cell Types

· Cells of a mature and higher plant become specialized to perform certain vital functions that are
essential for their survival.

· Few plant cells are involved in the transportation of nutrients and water, while others for storing
food.

· The specialized plant cells include parenchyma cells, sclerenchyma cells, collenchyma cells, xylem
cells and phloem cells.

Following are some of the different types of plant cells:

a) Collenchyma Cells

· They are hard or rigid cells, which play a primary role in providing support to the plants when there
is restraining growth in a plant due to lack of hardening agent in primary walls.

b) Sclerenchyma Cells

· These cells are more rigid compared to collenchyma cells and this is because of the presence of a
hardening agent, which are cellulose, hemicelluloses and lignin.

· These cells are usually found in all plant roots and mainly involved in providing support to the
plants.

c) Parenchyma Cells

· Parenchyma cells play a significant role in all plants.

· They are the living cells of plants, which are involved in the production of leaves.
· They are also involved in the exchange of gases, production of food, storage of organic products
and cell metabolism.

· These cells are typically more flexible than others because they are thinner.

Type of Cell

Structure

Functions

Example

Parenchyma

Cube shaped cells

Loosely packed

Thin walled

Relatively unspecialized

Contain chloroplast

Photosynthesis

Cellular respiration

storage

Storage tissues of potatoes

Collenchymal

Elongated, irregular thickened walls

Support

Wind resistance

Strings running through a stalk of celery

Sclerenchymal

Very thick cell walls containing lignin

Support and strength

tough fibers in jute (used to make rope)

Xylem Cells

· Xylem cells are the transport cells in vascular plants.

· They help in the transport of water and minerals from the roots to the leaves and other parts of
the plants.

Phloem Cells
· Phloem cells are other transport cells in vascular plants.

· They transport food prepared by the leaves to different parts of the plants.

Plant Cell Functions

· Plant cells are the building blocks of plants.

· Photosynthesis is the major function performed by plant cells.

ü Photosynthesis occurs in the chloroplasts of the plant cell.

ü It is the process of preparing food by the plants, by utilizing sunlight, carbon dioxide and water.

ü Energy is produced in the form of ATP in the process.

ü A few plant cells help in the transport of water and nutrients from the roots and leaves to different
parts of the plants.

Structures found in plant cells but not animal cells include a

i. large central vacuole, cell wall, and plastids such as chloroplasts.

The large central vacuole is surrounded by its own membrane and contains water and dissolved
substances. Its primary role is to maintain pressure against the inside of the cell wall, giving the cell
shape and helping to support the plant.

The cell wall is located outside the cell membrane. It consists mainly of cellulose and may also contain
lignin , which makes it more rigid. The cell wall shapes, supports, and protects the cell. It prevents the
cell from absorbing too much water and bursting. It also keeps large, damaging molecules out of the
cell.

Plastids are membrane-bound organelles with their own DNA. Examples are chloroplasts and
chromoplasts. Chloroplasts contain the green pigment chlorophyll and carry out photosynthesis.
Chromoplasts make and store other pigments. They give flower petals their bright colors.

Last modified: Thursday, 16 January 2025, 1:13 PM

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