Plant cells are the basic unit of life in organisms of the kingdom Plantae.

They are eukaryotic cells, which have a true

nucleus along with specialized structures called organelles that carry out different functions. Plant cells have special
organelles called chloroplasts, which create sugars via photosynthesis.

Name Description

Cell Membrane The semi-permeable membrane that is present within the cell wall. It is composed of a
thin layer of protein and fat. The cell membrane plays an important role in regulating the
entry and exit of specific substances within the cell

Cytoplasm Refers to gel-like material that occupies the intracellular space formed by the plasma
membrane. Plant cells generally have less cytoplasm than animal cells because of the
large centralized vacuole. Cytoplasm maintains the shape of the cell, provides support
and is the suspension medium for the organelles. It houses chloroplasts which contain
chlorophyll found exclusively in plant cells.

Raphide crystal These are needle-shaped crystals of calcium oxalate which enhances the plants'
defense against predators as they cut and injure tissues of the throat or esophagus when
chewing on the leaves of the plant.

Vacuole Vacuole meaning empty space, helps in the storage and disposal of various substances.
They can store the food and nutrients needed by a cell to survive and store waste
products preventing the entire cell from contamination. The vacuoles' found in plant
cells are larger than the ones in animal cells

chloroplast A chloroplast is an organelle within the cells of plants and certain algae that is the site of
photosynthesis, which is the process by which energy from the Sun is converted into
chemical energy for growth.
Golgi apparatus It is responsible for transporting, modifying and packaging proteins and lipids into
vesicles for delivery to targeted destinations.

Cell wall It is a rigid layer which is composed of polysaccharides cellulose, pectin and
hemicellulose. It is located outside the cell membrane. The primary function of the cell
wall is to protect and provide structural support to the cell. The plant cell wall is also
involved in protecting the cell against mechanical stress and providing form and
structure to the cell. It also filters the molecules passing in and out of it.

formation of the cell wall is guided by microtubules. It consists of three layers, namely,
primary, secondary and the middle lamella. The primary cell wall is formed by cellulose
laid down by enzymes.

Druse crystal Allows plants to store excess calcium in the form of calcium oxalate which may then be
remobilized if needed in the calcium control process. Its primary function includes
high-capacity "calcium control" and "herbivory resistance"

Mitochondrion They provide energy by breaking down carbohydrate and sugar molecules, hence they
are also referred to as the “Powerhouse of the cell".

Endoplasmic reticulum It is the largest organelle in the cell and is a major site of protein synthesis, and transport,
protein folding, lipid and steroid synthesis, carbohydrate metabolism and calcium
storage.

Nucleus and nucleolus The nucleus is a membrane-bound structure that is present only in eukaryotic cells. The
vital function of a nucleus is to store DNA or hereditary information required for cell
division, metabolism and growth

The nucleolus is a spherical structure found in the cell's nucleus whose primary function is
 to produce and assemble the cell's ribosomes. The nucleolus is also where ribosomal
RNA genes are transcribed.

Ribosomes They are the smallest membrane-bound organelles which comprise RNA and protein.
They are the sites for protein synthesis, hence, also referred to as the protein factories of
the cell.

peroxisome One of the last major cellular organelles to be discovered. Plant peroxisomes are
involved in numerous processes, including primary and secondary metabolism,
development and responses to abiotic and biotic stress. It is highly dynamic in both
morphology and metabolism

amyloplast They are leucoplasts that function mainly in starch storage. They do not undergo
photosynthesis (roots and seeds). It synthesizes transitory starch which is stored
temporarily in chloroplasts and used for energy