The plant cell is the building block of plants and algae. The characteristics of the plant cell are below.
It is a eukaryotic cell
The plant cell is a type of eukaryotic cell, that is, cells that, in addition to a plasma membrane and cytoplasm, have their genetic material enclosed in a nucleus.
The nucleus is a structure formed by a double membrane (nuclear envelope) that surrounds deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA).
DNA is the genetic material of the plant cell. It contains the operating instructions for each cell, which are transmitted from the progenitor cells to their daughter cells.
Plant cells of the onion skin, where the nuclei surrounded by cytoplasm enclosed in the plasma membrane are observed.
Has a cell wall
The plant cell has a cellulose mesh called the cell wall outside the plasma membrane. The cell wall gives the plant cell its shape and protects it.
Has different types of organelles
Like the animal cell, the plant cell contains compartments with special functions called organelles. Among these we have:
Mitochondria: is where cellular respiration takes place.
Endoplasmic reticulum: It is a membrane system of two types, the rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER) and the smooth one (REL). The RER has attached ribosomes, which is why it has a rough appearance, and it is where proteins are synthesized. In the REL they are synthesized. lipids. The plant cells of the seeds are rich in REL.
Golgi apparatus: is a stack of membrane sacs, from which vesicles are formed.
Vesicles: small membrane sacs that transport material within the cell.
Lysosomes: vesicles with digestive enzymes that are responsible for breaking down waste material.
Glyoxysomes: The plant cell has these organelles that break down fats into smaller molecules.
Plastids: They are storage compartments for different compounds, for example starch, pigments and fats.
Has chloroplasts
Chloroplasts are specific organelles of plant cells. They are a type of plastid where chlorophyll is concentrated, which gives the plants the characteristic green color.
Can get energy from the Sun
Plant cells with chloroplasts can take advantage of sunlight to synthesize their own nutrients, from carbon dioxide and water. They do this through the process of photosynthesis.
It has a large central vacuole
The central vacuole can occupy 95% of the internal space of the plant cell and is limited within the cytoplasm by a membrane called the tonoplast. Water and other materials are stored inside the vacuole.
They form tissues
Plant cells join together to form plant tissues. For example, at the tips of roots is the apical meristem, a rapidly growing tissue.
Image of the cells of the apical meristem of the onion root
They divide by mitosis or meiosis
Plant cells divide by mitosis or meiosis. Mitosis occurs in most cells, when they divide in two after DNA replication. Meiosis only occurs in the sexual cells of plants, to give rise to pollen and ovules.
See also: Plant cell, chloroplasts, photosynthesis, Characteristics of the animal cell
References
Alberts, B., Johnson, A., Lewis, J, Raff, M., Roberts, K., Walter, P. (2008) Molecular Biology of the Cell 5th Ed. Garland Science. UK.
Hardin, J., Bertoni, G., Kleinsmith, L.J. (2012) Becker’s World of the cell. 8th ed. Pearson Ed. NY.
Kratz, R.F. (2011) Botany for Dummies. Wiley Publishing Inc.