Plant Cell Structures and Their Functions — Revision notes

Nucleus

The control centre of the cell; contains DNA and controls the cell's activities

Cell membrane

A thin layer surrounding the cytoplasm that controls which substances enter and leave the cell

Cytoplasm

The jelly-like substance inside the cell where chemical reactions take place

Mitochondria

The powerhouses of the cell; use food as fuel to release energy through respiration

Cell wall

A tough outer layer made of fibres surrounding the plant cell, providing structural support and rigidity like building scaffolding

Chloroplast

A green structure inside plant cells that traps light to make food by photosynthesis

Permanent vacuole

A large fluid-filled sac in the middle of a plant cell that stores water and cell sap, keeping the cell firm

Root hair cell

A specialized underground plant cell with a long thin extension that massively increases surface area for water and mineral absorption

Palisade cell

A specialized plant cell found near the top surface of leaves, densely packed with chloroplasts to absorb maximum sunlight

Xylem

Specialized transport cells that form continuous hollow tubes composed of dead cells with thick walls to carry water upward from roots to leaves

Phloem

Specialized living transport cells that distribute sugary water and food from the leaves to all other parts of the plant

What this lesson covers

How well do you know each one? Be honest: red means go back over it.

• Name the seven structures of a plant cell and describe what each one doesNot yetSort ofGot it
• Identify the three structures found in plant cells but not animal cellsNot yetSort ofGot it
• Explain the role of chloroplasts in photosynthesisNot yetSort ofGot it
• Explain how the vacuole and cell wall keep a plant firm, and why a plant wilts without waterNot yetSort ofGot it
• Compare plant cells with animal cells and fungi cellsNot yetSort ofGot it
• Describe how root hair cells and palisade cells are adapted to their jobsNot yetSort ofGot it

Test yourself

Cover the answer, say it out loud, then check the full quiz on the lesson page.

• Which best describes the structure and job of xylem cells in plants?
• How do fungi cells differ from plant cells and animal cells?
• What would happen if an animal cell had a large, water-filled central vacuole like a plant cell?

Topic quiz

12 questions on this topic only — not mixed with anything else, one at a time.

Spelling challenge

Read the definition, then type the correct spelling of the term. Uses the same terms as above.