Plant Cell Vacuoles & Cell Wall Quiz

Study Notes

Many plant cells have a large central vacuole, filling up to 90% of the inner space, while animal cells have smaller vacuoles or lysosomes.
Plant cell central vacuole is surrounded by a tonoplast membrane, which regulates water flow and maintains turgor pressure.
Central vacuole's main function in a plant cell is to maintain turgor pressure, providing shape and structure, and also serving as a storage site for water, nutrients, and waste.
Plant cells have a cell wall, made primarily of cellulose, which provides strength and flexibility and works with the central vacuole to maintain turgor pressure.
The plant cell wall consists of three layers: the primary cell wall, secondary cell wall, and middle lamella, each with distinct compositions and functions.
The primary cell wall is made during cell development and provides initial strength and flexibility, while the secondary cell wall matures with the plant and adds more fiber and protection.
The middle lamella, located between adjacent cells, is mostly pectin and facilitates communication channels between cells.
Osmosis and turgor pressure help maintain the shape of plant cells by balancing water content inside and outside the cell, with the central vacuole playing a crucial role in this process.
In a hypotonic environment, water enters the plant cell, increasing turgor pressure and maintaining its shape, while in an isotonic environment, the water content is balanced, and in a hypertonic environment, water leaves the cell, causing it to wilt.