Plant Cell for Botany

Advanced AP level plant cell deck for SciOly as well

Rigid cell wall - function

Provides shape, support, and protection for plant cells and lets them build up internal pressure (turgor) without bursting.

What major organelle is unique to plant cells and drives photosynthesis?

Chloroplasts, which are plastids containing chlorophyll pigments that capture light energy for photosynthesis.

Large storage compartment in plant cells

The central vacuole, a large membrane‑bound compartment that stores water and other metabolites and helps maintain turgor.

What is a vacuole's membrane called in plant cells?

The tonoplast, the specialized membrane that surrounds the vacuole.

Lipid bodies (spherosomes) - role in plant cells

Membrane‑bounded lipid storage structures that provide a carbon source, including for biofuel production.

Organelles shared by plant and animal cells (list a few)

Examples: plasma membrane, nucleus, ribosomes, endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus, mitochondria.

Plasma membrane - main function in plant cells

Selective barrier that controls movement of ions and molecules into and out of the cytoplasm.

What type of molecules form the basic structure of the plasma membrane?

A phospholipid bilayer with embedded proteins.

How do charged ions and polar molecules cross the plasma membrane?

Through specific membrane proteins such as channels and carriers.

What energy molecule is required to move substances against their gradient across membranes?

ATP (adenosine triphosphate).

Where is the nucleus usually located in young vs. mature plant cells?

Central in undifferentiated cells; often pushed toward the cell edge in mature cells by the large vacuole.

What types of nucleic acids are found in the nucleus?

DNA and various RNAs involved in gene expression.

Main function of DNA in plant cells

Stores hereditary information that is used to direct RNA and protein synthesis.

Role of ribosomes in the cell

Sites of protein synthesis that translate mRNA into amino acid sequences.

Where are ribosomes found in plant cells?

Free in the cytosol and attached to the endoplasmic reticulum and outer nuclear membrane; also in mitochondria and plastids.

Endoplasmic reticulum - rough vs. smooth

Rough ER has ribosomes and specializes in protein synthesis; smooth ER lacks ribosomes and specializes in lipid production.

Golgi apparatus - key function in plant cells

Packages and exports cell wall components (hemicelluloses, pectins, glycoproteins) and many secreted proteins.

Cytoplasm - what is it?

Region between nuclear envelope and plasma membrane that contains organelles, cytoskeleton, and cytosol.

Mitochondria - main role

Respiratory centers that break down carbohydrates and conserve energy by making ATP.

Which cycle in mitochondria oxidizes pyruvate to CO₂?

The citric acid cycle (Krebs cycle).

Final electron acceptor in mitochondrial electron transport chain

Molecular oxygen (O₂) is what in the mitochondrial electron transport chain?

Plastids - what are they?

Plant‑specific organelles bounded by a double membrane that include chloroplasts, chromoplasts, and leucoplasts.

Chloroplast - structure relevant to photosynthesis, not what it does

Contains thylakoids organized into granal and stromal lamellae within a fluid stroma where pigments and photosystems are located.

Basic role of chloroplasts in leaves

Absorb light energy and convert it into chemical energy stored in carbohydrates, releasing oxygen.

Chromoplast - function and pigments

Pigment plastids rich in carotenoids that give colors to some flowers, fruits, roots, and tubers.

Leucoplasts - two important types

Amyloplasts (store starch) and elaioplasts (store lipids).

What do proplastids become in light vs. darkness?

In light, they develop into chloroplasts; in darkness, they form etioplasts that can convert to chloroplasts upon illumination.

Plant cell wall - basic function

Rigid extracellular structure that provides mechanical strength and supports turgor pressure.

What polymers make up the primary cell wall?

Cellulose microfibrils plus hemicelluloses, pectins, glycoproteins, and wall‑modifying enzymes.

Difference between primary and secondary cell wall

Primary wall is laid down during cell growth; secondary wall is added later, with more cellulose and often lignin, and can show varied thickening patterns.

How do plant cells sense their environment via the cell wall?

Through integrin‑like proteins that connect the wall (extracellular matrix) to the plasma membrane and cytoskeleton, forming a signaling continuum.