Jamie Faith C.

Alingig
BS BIO 1-2
General Botany
Module 1 Activity

1. Define and discuss the difference between diffusion and osmosis.

Diffusion and Osmosis are examples of Passive Transport. Diffusion is the process of
molecules moving from an area of a high concentrated molecule to an area with a lower
concentrated molecule. It is an important process for photosynthesis because molecules
such as carbon dioxide from the stomata diffuse into the leaves and into the cells. Diffusion
also happens in our daily lives like making tea. As you add the teabag that is highly
concentrated in hot water, it causes the tea leaves to move and diffuses with the water and
lowers its concentration as you mix it. Osmosis on the other hand is kind of like the same as
diffusion but the difference is that water with a high water concentration passes through a
semi-permeable membrane first to a region of low water concentration. A semi-permeable
membrane is a very thin layer of material which allows small molecules such as water,
glucose, oxygen, and carbon dioxide to pass through them, but prevents large molecules
such as proteins and starch from passing through it.

2. Define and discuss the difference between facilitated diffusion and active transport.

Both facilitated diffusion and active transport also transports molecules from outside the cell
to inside the cell. Although, these particular molecules need to enter a “certain passageway”
as these molecules cannot simply enter through the cell membrane. Polar molecules and
ions cannot easily diffuse in the cell membrane due to its hydrophobic nature of the lipids
that makes up the cell. In the facilitated diffusion, these molecules and ions are transported
inside the cell through a passageway called transport proteins and there are three types that
are involved in this process. First is the channel protein which is a pore-like open structure
that provides a passageway for hydrophilic molecules and ions. The second one is the gated
channel protein which only opens when it receives a special chemical or electric signal and
the third one is the carrier protein that opens to one side of the membrane then changes
shape to carry the molecules through the other side without opening a channel. On the other
hand, active transport is a process which requires energy produced by the ATP in order to
pump molecules and ions against the concentration gradient. There are times wherein
molecules and ions inside the membrane are transported outside and active transport is the
only way to do it.

3.What would be the fate of a plant cell that possessed a plasma membrane but not a cell
wall?

A cell wall is a flexible, thick, and rigid layer that surrounds the cell membrane and serves a
variety of functions, one is that it protects the cell membrane. Plants have different lifestyles
than humans and animals because they make their own food through photosynthesis. The
cell wall provides structural support as it allows water and nutrients to move in and out of the
cell and protection by preventing the plant cell from bursting whenever water enters it due to
turgor pressure. Turgor pressure is when force exerted by water pushes against the cell wall,
helping a plant to remain rigid, but also causes its cell to burst.That is why whenever a plant
may wilt, the cell wall helps maintain the structure of its stems, leaves, etc. despite it
shrinking. If a plant cell doesn't have a cell wall, it leaves the cell membrane vulnerable to
different particles that could harm it.

4.Describe the different types of plastids and determine the functions of each.
● Chloroplasts
Chloroplasts are oval shaped-like blobs and its function is to conduct photosynthesis and to
produce amino acids and lipids that are needed for their membrane production.

● Chromoplasts
Chromoplasts are colored plastids that usually appear in fruits and flowers because they are
responsible for the storage and synthesis of their pigment.

● Gerontoplasts
Gerontoplasts are basically chloroplasts that aid the ageing process of plants because it no
longer utilizes photosynthesis.

● Leucoplasts
Leucoplasts are colorless organelles that store starches, lipids, and proteins and are usually
found in root plants. There are three types of Leucoplasts: Amyloplasts, Proteinoplasts, and
Elaioplasts.
Amyloplasts-produces and stores starch
Proteinoplasts-help store proteins that are usually found in seeds.
Elaioplasts-helps store fats and oils.

II. Parts of the plant cell

● Cell wall
A cell wall is the outermost layer that surrounds the cell membrane and serves a variety of
functions. It is assigned in allowing small molecules to move in and out of the cell, it makes
up the cell's structural framework, it provides protection against pathogens that try to attack
the cell, and it also prevents the cell from bursting due to turgor pressure.
● Cell membrane
A cell membrane is a permeable, thin membrane that separates its interior from the outside
environment. It is composed of lipids and proteins that regulate the entry and exit of
essential molecules and waste that helps in the formation of tissues and cell growth.
● Nucleus
Also known as the 'control center' of the cell because it contains the genetic material of the
cell (DNA).
● Chloroplasts
Chloroplasts are commonly found in plant cells. It contains chlorophyll, which is a pigment
that is responsible for producing food through a process called photosynthesis.
● Mitochondria
Also known as the 'powerhouse of the cell' as it is responsible for breaking down nutrients in
order to produce the energy currency of the cell called ATP.
● Ribosomes
Ribosomes are particles that produce proteins and can be found either freely in the
cytoplasm or attached to the rough endoplasmic reticulum.
● Endoplasmic Reticulum
Is a large organelle made of folded sacs and tunnels that forms a connection with the
nucleus on one side and cell membrane on the other. It serves functions such as producing
and transporting of molecules to other organelles and helping with the formation of the
nuclear membrane during cell division and the skeletal framework of the cell. There are two
types of Endoplasmic Reticulum: Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum and Smooth Endoplasmic
Reticulum. Their difference is that the Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum has ribosomes
attached to it while the Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum doesn't.
● Golgi Body
Are stacks of membrane-covered sacs that act like the post office of a cell by processing,
packaging, and transporting the secretion of proteins produced by the rough endoplasmic
reticulum to its destination.
● Vacuole
A large membrane compartment that makes up almost 80% of the cell's volume. It is
responsible in storing useful products such as water and reserved food and also toxic
wastes of the cell.
● Cytoskeleton
Are filaments or fibers that provide mechanical support in maintaining the cell's shape.
● Amyloplast
Are also plastids like the chloroplasts that produces and stores starch.
● Microtubules
Are fibrous rods that are composed of proteins that also help in maintaining the structure of
the cell.
● Cytoplasm
It is a thick, water-based solution that fills the cell membrane that keeps the organelles in
their position.
● Lysosome
Is the digestive center of the cell because it breaks down food particles and recycles waste
components of the cell.
● Peroxisome
Peroxisomes vary in shape, size, and number and they are responsible in breaking down
fatty acids and glycerol and also helps in the recycling of carbon during cell metabolism.