Parts and Function of a Plant Cell

Cell Membrane

it is a barrier keeping the constituents of the cell and unwanted substances out, and allows transport

Amyloplast

synthesizes and stores starch

Raphide Crystals

stores calcium, sequester heavy metals, protect against herbivory and possible programmed cell death

Vacuole

• it is a big storage space for water, food, and waste

• much bigger than in animal cells

Chloroplast

it is responsible for photosynthesis, converts light energy, water, and carbon dioxide into chemical energy in the form of glucose (food) and oxygen

Golgi apparatus

• modifies, packages, and transports proteins and lipids. It also makes cell wall materials like pectin and polysaccharides

Cell Wall

• gives shape, support, and protection. It is mainly made of cellulose and helps prevent the cell from bursting when water enters

Cytoplasm

jelly-like fluid inside the cell where organelles are found. It supports them and it is the site for many chemical reactions

Druse Crystal

it is a star-shaped crystals of calcium oxalate. It functions as protection, as they can deter herbivores from eating the plant

Mitochondrion

it produces energy in the form of ATP through cellular respiration

Endoplasmic Reticulum

it transports materials within the cell

Nucleus

• it controls all cell activities and stores DNA.

• It acts as the “brain” of the cell, directing growth, metabolism, and reproduction

Nucleolus

• it is found inside the nucleus

• it makes ribosomes, which are needed for protein synthesis

Peroxisome

• these are organelles that breaks down fatty acids and detoxifies harmful substances, aand also helps with photorespiration

Ribosomes

• it is the site of protein syntheis

• it makes proteins by linking amino acids together