Everything Life Sciences Grade 10

FACT

WATCH: This video

shows the

fascinating inner life

of a cell:

See video:

SHORTCODEat

http://www.everythingscience.co.za

Schematic Diagram Micrograph

Figure 3.31: Structure of chloroplast.

Figure 3.32: Electron micrograph

of chloroplast with grana and thy-

lakoids.

The differences between plant and animal cells DUMMY

Now that we have looked at the basic structures and functions of the organelles in a cell, you
would have noticed that there are key differences between plant and animal cells. The table
below summarises these differences.

Animal Cells Plant Cells

Do not contain plastids. Almost all plants cells contain plastids

such chloroplasts, chromoplasts and

leucoplasts.

No cell wall. Have a rigid cellulose cell wall in

addition to the cell membrane.

Contain centrioles. Do not contain centrioles.

Animals do not have plasmodesmata

or pits.

Contain plasmodesmata and pits.

Few vacuoles (if any). Large central vacuole filled with cell

sap in mature cells.

Nucleus is generally found at the

centre of the cytoplasm.

Nucleus is found near the edge of the

cell.

No intercellular spaces found between

the cells.

Large intercellular air spaces found

between some cells.

Investigation: Examining plant cells under the microscope

Aim:

To study the microscopic structures of plant cells

Chapter 3. The basic units of life 87