Animal Cell
A plant cell is the basic structural and functional unit of a plant organism. It differs from an animal cell by the presence of a cell wall, chloroplasts, and large vacuoles. The plant cell performs numerous functions that ensure the growth, development, and survival of the plant.
Did you know that...
01
Billions of cells
A single leaf can contain billions of cells.

02
1000 - 10,000 molecules
Chloroplasts, specialized organelles of plant cells, contain between 1000 and 10,000 molecules of chlorophyll.

03
20,000 to 40,000 genes
Plant cells can contain between 20,000 to 40,000 genes, significantly exceeding the number of genes in humans.

04
100 chloroplasts
A plant cell can contain up to 100 chloroplasts.

05
500 million years ago
Plants transitioned to land about 500 million years ago, marking a significant event in Earth's history.

Structure and functions of microorganisms
Plastids
These are organelles in plant cells, divided into three types: chloroplasts, which contain the green pigment chlorophyll and perform photosynthesis. Photosynthesis occurs on the inner membrane of the chloroplast, folded into stacks called grana. Leucoplasts are white or colorless, storing starch; and chromoplasts with red, yellow, or orange pigments, accumulating nutrients or harmful substances that make flower petals bright to attract insects. Plastids can transform into each other, for example, chloroplasts can become chromoplasts as leaves age or fruits ripen.

Mitochondria
These are the power stations of the cell. They exist in all eukaryotes. From organic substances (proteins, fats, or carbohydrates), under the action of oxygen, water and carbon dioxide are formed, and the released energy is stored in the form of ATP. The process occurs on cristae – protrusions of the inner membrane of mitochondria.

Nucleus
The most important part of the cell, responsible for the transmission and storage of genetic information. It has a spherical or ovoid shape and consists of a nuclear envelope (inner and outer membranes), nuclear sap, chromatin, and several nucleoli, which may appear and disappear.

Ribosomes
They carry out the biosynthesis of proteins, i.e., they connect amino acids into protein. They are present in all living cells, even prokaryotes.

Visicles
These are small membranous vesicles involved in the transport, storage, and processing of substances. They participate in exocytosis, endocytosis, and are important for intracellular transport and metabolism, contributing to homeostasis, growth, and development of the cell.

Cell Wall
It performs a protective function. All cells are covered with a cell membrane. But in addition to the membrane, there is also a cell wall outside. It makes cells strong, maintains their shape, and consists of cellulose. Unlike animal cell walls, it is strong and dense.

Endoplasmic Reticulum
This is a network of membranes responsible for the production, processing, and transport of proteins and lipids. There are rough with ribosomes for protein synthesis and smooth for lipid synthesis, carbohydrate metabolism, detoxification, and calcium storage.

Central Vacuole
This is a membranous vesicle with cellular juice, where harmful and reserve substances are stored in the form of concentrated solutions. It also maintains intracellular pressure in plant cells.

Golgi Apparatus
It carries out intracellular transport of substances, modification, and synthesis of fats and carbohydrates, formation of lysosomes. It consists of a membrane folded into cavities and cisterns located near the nucleus. Membrane vesicles are constantly detached from them. Substances for secretion outside or for long-term storage may be found there.

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