15 Questions
Why are plant cells easily distinguished from animal cells?
Presence of a cell wall and larger vacuoles
What is the main function of vacuoles in plant cells?
Maintaining water levels
What is the role of the cell wall in plant cells?
Maintaining turgor pressure
How do plant vacuoles differ from animal vacuoles?
Plant vacuoles are larger and serve multiple functions
What structural component of plant cells maintains turgor pressure?
Vacuole
What is responsible for the influx of water into the central vacuole?
Osmosis
What causes a plant cell to maintain its shape due to the pressure exerted on the cell wall?
Turgor pressure
In which type of environment does a plant cell become soft and flaccid?
Hypertonic environment
What does the central vacuole release into a hypertonic solution?
Water
What is the primary role of turgor pressure in plant cells?
Maintain cell shape
What is the primary role of the central vacuole in a plant cell?
Maintaining turgor pressure within the cell
Which organelles fuse with vacuoles in animal cells to destroy potential pathogens?
Lysosomes
What is the primary function of the cell wall in plant cells?
Maintaining the shape of the plant cell
Which feature distinguishes plant cells from animal cells in terms of vacuoles?
Plant cells may have one large central vacuole while animal cells have many small vacuoles.
What is the main role of the middle lamella in plant cell walls?
Facilitating communication between adjacent plant cells
Study Notes
Distinguishing Features of Plant Cells
- Plant cells are easily distinguished from animal cells due to the presence of a cell wall, chloroplasts, and a large central vacuole.
Function of Vacuoles in Plant Cells
- The main function of vacuoles in plant cells is to store water, salts, and other substances.
Role of the Cell Wall in Plant Cells
- The cell wall provides structural support, maintains the cell's shape, and maintains turgor pressure by exerting pressure on the cell wall.
Characteristics of Plant Vacuoles
- Plant vacuoles are larger than animal vacuoles and are responsible for maintaining turgor pressure.
Maintenance of Cell Shape and Turgor Pressure
- Turgor pressure maintains the cell's shape due to the pressure exerted on the cell wall.
- The influx of water into the central vacuole is responsible for maintaining turgor pressure.
Effects of Environment on Plant Cells
- In a hypotonic environment, a plant cell becomes turgid due to the influx of water into the central vacuole.
- In an isotonic environment, a plant cell maintains its shape due to the balance of water influx and efflux.
- In a hypertonic environment, a plant cell becomes soft and flaccid due to the efflux of water from the central vacuole.
Role of the Central Vacuole
- The central vacuole releases water into a hypertonic solution to maintain osmotic balance.
- The primary role of the central vacuole in a plant cell is to maintain turgor pressure and store substances.
Turgor Pressure in Plant Cells
- The primary role of turgor pressure in plant cells is to maintain the cell's shape and provide structural support.
Cell Wall Components
- The middle lamella is a layer of pectin that cements adjacent cell walls together, providing additional structural support.
Key Features of Plant Cell Vacuoles
- The presence of a large central vacuole is a distinguishing feature of plant cells.
Fusion of Vacuoles in Animal Cells
- In animal cells, lysosomes fuse with vacuoles to destroy potential pathogens.
Test your knowledge on the specialized structures of plant cells such as vacuoles and cell walls. Learn about the differences between animal and plant cells in terms of these distinct features.
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