Republic of the Philippines
President Ramon Magsaysay State University
(Formerly Ramon Magsaysay Technological
University)
Iba, Zambales, Philippines
Tel/Fax No.: (047) 811-1683
College/Department College of Arts and Sciences
Course Code Bot-1
Course Title Botany (Laboratory)
Place of the Course in the Program Fundamental Course
Semester & Academic Year First Semester, AY 2020-2021
Laboratory Module 2
The Plant Cell Structure
Introduction
The cell is the basic unit of life in all organisms. Like humans and animals, plants are also
composed of several cells. The plant cell is surrounded by a cell wall which is involved in providing
shape to the plant cell. Apart from the cell wall, there are other organelles that are associated with
different cellular activities.
Intended Learning Outcomes
At the end of this exercise, the student should be able to:
1. Identify the parts of a plant cell;
2. Enumerate and define the different types of plant cells;
3. Draw onion cell as seen through the light microscope; and
4. Identify the function of plant cells.
Discussion
What is a Plant Cell?
Plant cells are eukaryotic cells that vary in several fundamental factors from other
eukaryotic organisms. Both plant and animal cells contain nucleus along with similar organelles.
One of the distinctive aspects of a plant cell is the presence of a cell wall outside the cell membrane.
The plant cell is rectangular and comparatively larger than the animal cell. Even though
plant and animal cells are eukaryotic and share a few cell organelles, plant cells are quite distinct
when compared to animal cells as they perform different functions. Some of these differences can
be clearly understood when the cells are examined under an electron microscope.
Plant Cell Structure
Plant cell structure includes various components known as cell organelles that perform
different functions to sustain itself. These organelles include:
14 | P a g e
Cell Wall
rigid layer which is composed of cellulose, glycoproteins, lignin, pectin and hemicellulose.
located outside the cell membrane
comprises proteins, polysaccharides and cellulose
the primary function of the cell wall is to protect and provide structural support to the cell
involved in protecting the cell against mechanical stress and to provide form and structure to
the cell
filters the molecules passing in and out of the cell
formation of the cell wall is guided by microtubules
consists of three layers, namely, primary, secondary and the middle lamella
primary cell wall is formed by cellulose laid down by enzymes
Cell membrane
the semi-permeable membrane that is present within the cell wall. It is composed of a thin
layer of protein and fat
plays an important role in regulating the entry and exit of specific substances within the cell
keeps toxins from entering inside, while nutrients and essential minerals are transported
across
Nucleus
a membrane-bound structure that is present only in eukaryotic cells
store DNA or hereditary information required for cell division, metabolism and growth
Nucleolus: It manufactures cell’s protein-producing structures and ribosomes
Nucleopore: Nuclear membrane is perforated with holes called nucleopore that allows
proteins and nucleic acids to pass through
Plastids
membrane-bound organelles that have their own DNA
necessary to store starch, to carry out the process of photosynthesis
used in the synthesis of many molecules, which form the building blocks of the cell
Some of the vital types of plastids and their functions are stated below:
Leucoplasts
- non-photosynthetic tissues of plants. They are used for the storage of protein,
lipid and starch
Chloroplasts
- an elongated organelle enclosed by phospholipid membrane
- shaped like a disc and the stroma is the fluid within the chloroplast that
comprises a circular DNA
- contains a green colored pigment called chlorophyll required for the process of
photosynthesis
- chlorophyll absorbs light energy from the sun and uses it to transform carbon
dioxide and water into glucose
Chromoplasts
- heterogeneous, colored plastid which is responsible for pigment synthesis and for
storage in photosynthetic eukaryotic organisms
15 | P a g e
- have red, orange and yellow colored pigments which provide color to all ripe
fruits and flowers
Central Vacuole
occupies around 30% of the cell’s volume in a mature plant cell
tonoplast is a membrane that surrounds central vacuole
apart from storage is to sustain turgid pressure against the cell wall
consists of cell sap. It is a mixture of salts, enzymes and other substances
Golgi Apparatus
found in all eukaryotic cells which are involved in distributing synthesized macromolecules
to various parts of the cell
Ribosomes
smallest membrane-bound organelles which comprise RNA and protein
sites for protein synthesis, hence, also referred to as the protein factories of the cell
Mitochondria
double-membraned organelles found in the cytoplasm of all eukaryotic cells
provide energy by breaking down carbohydrate and sugar molecules, hence they are also
referred to as the “Powerhouse of the cell
Lysosome
Lysosomes are called suicidal bags as they hold digestive enzymes in an enclosed
membrane
perform the function of cellular waste disposal by digesting worn-out organelles, food
particles and foreign bodies in the cell
Plant Cell Types
Cells of a matured and higher plant become specialized to perform certain vital functions
that are essential for their survival. Few plant cells are involved in the transportation of nutrients
and water, while others for storing food.
The specialized plant cells include parenchyma cells, sclerenchyma cells, collenchyma cells,
xylem cells and phloem cells.
Following are some of the different types of plant cells:
1. Collenchyma Cells
hard or rigid cells, which play a primary role in providing support to the plants when
there is restraining growth in a plant due to lack of hardening agent in primary walls.
2. Sclerenchyma Cells
cells are more rigid compared to collenchyma cells and this is because of the presence
of a hardening agent
usually found in all plant roots and mainly involved in providing support to the plants
3. Parenchyma Cells
the living cells of plants, which are involved in the production of leaves. They are also
involved in the exchange of gases, production of food, storage of organic products and
cell metabolism. These cells are typically more flexible than others because they are
thinner
4. Xylem Cells
transport cells in vascular plants
help in the transport of water and minerals from the roots to the leaves and other parts of
the plants
16 | P a g e
5. Phloem Cells
transport cells in vascular plants
transport food prepared by the leaves to different parts of the plants
Plant Cell Functions
Plant cells are the building blocks of plants.
Photosynthesis is the major function performed by plant cells.
Photosynthesis occurs in the chloroplasts of the plant cell.
It is the process of preparing food by the plants, by utilizing sunlight, carbon dioxide and
water. Energy is produced in the form of ATP in the process.
A few plant cells help in the transport of water and nutrients from the roots and leaves to
different parts of the plants.
Activity
I. Materials
Pencil
Colored pencils
II. Procedure
A. Plant Cell
1. Search the internet for an illustration of a plant cell, draw this and label the parts.
2. Search the internet for a photomicrograph of an onion cell (stained and unstained)
under a light microscope and identify all visible parts.
17 | P a g e
Name: ____________________________ Score: _____
Course and Year: ___________________
Worksheet No. 2
PLANT CELL STRUCTURE
Figure 1. Plant cell and its structures.
Figure 1. Onion Bulb scale without stain under LPO, _____x.
Observation/s:
18 | P a g e
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
Figure 2. Onion Bulb scale with iodine solution under LPO, _____x.
Observation/s:
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
19 | P a g e
Exercises
I. Draw the illustration of a chloroplast and label the parts.
III. Briefly define the following terms using your own words:
a. Nucleus
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
a. Chromoplast
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
b. Schlerenchyma
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
c. Plastid
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
d. Endoplasmic reticulum
20 | P a g e
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
Reflection
1. Why do plant cells need the presence of cells walls?
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
2. Why do cells need the vacuole?
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
3. Why do mitochondria carry their own DNA?
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
4. What are the functions of a plant cells?
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
21 | P a g e
Suggested Readings/Videos
1. CrashCourse. "Plant Cells: Crash Course Biology #6." YouTube. March 5, 2012.
[Link]
2. Khan Academy Partners. "Plant cells | Crash Course biology| Khan Academy." YouTube.
April 25, 2019. [Link]
3. Khan Academy. "Plant cell walls | Structure of a cell | Biology | Khan Academy." YouTube.
July 29, 2015. [Link]
Resources and Additional Resources
1. "Inside a Plant Cell." CCBER |. Accessed August 18, 2020.
[Link]
anatomy/inside-plant-cell.
2. Moscow State University Botanical Server. Accessed August 18, 2020.
[Link]
3. "Plant Cell - Definition, Structure, Function, Diagram & Types." BYJUS. Last modified
June 2, 2020. [Link]
4. "Plant Cells, Chloroplasts, Cell Walls | Learn Science at Scitable." Nature. Accessed
August 18, 2020. [Link]
cell-walls-14053956.
5. "What Are the Differences Between Animal and Plant Cells?" BBC Bitesize. Last modified
September 5, 2019. [Link]
22 | P a g e