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    Plant cells: common structures and specialised cells

    I can identify common structures of plant cells and relate each structure to its function.

    New
    New

      Plant cells: common structures and specialised cells

      I can identify common structures of plant cells and relate each structure to its function.

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      Lesson details

      Key learning points

      1. The plant cell model describes the common structures of plant cells.
      2. Some of these structures are common with animal cells, such as the cytoplasm, cell membrane, nucleus and mitochondria.
      3. Plant cells have additional structures, i.e. the cell wall, chloroplasts and vacuole; each has a specific function.
      4. Specialised cells in plants have shapes, sizes and structures that are adapted for the jobs the cells do.
      5. Examples of specialised plant cells include root hair cells and palisade cells.

      Keywords

      • Cell wall - A subcellular structure made from cellulose fibres that strengthens the cell and supports the plant.

      • Chloroplast - A subcellular structure that contains the green pigment chlorophyll, which absorbs light for photosynthesis.

      • Permanent vacuole - A subcellular structure filled with cell sap that helps keep the cell turgid.

      • Photosynthesis - A chemical reaction that plants use to make glucose, taking place in the chloroplasts.

      • Active transport - The net movement of particles from a low to high concentration, against a concentration gradient, using energy.

      Common misconception

      A palisade cell is not a specialised cell as it is used as the plant cell model. All plant cells contain chloroplasts.

      Presentation outlines that the palisade cell is a specialised cell. Question in the check for understanding that is designed to show chloroplasts are not in root hair cells.

      It is useful to mention that not all plant cells contain all of the subcellular structures in the plant model cell.
      Teacher tip

      Equipment

      Licence

      This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

      Lesson video

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      Prior knowledge starter quiz

      Download quiz pdf

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      Which of these images is showing a plant cell?

      An image in a quiz
      An image in a quiz
      Correct Answer: An image in a quiz
      An image in a quiz

      Q2.
      Which part of the plant absorbs water and minerals?

      leaves
      stem
      Correct answer: roots
      flower

      Q3.
      Which of these processes do plants use to make glucose?

      respiration
      fertilisation
      protein synthesis
      Correct answer: photosynthesis

      Q4.
      Match each sub-cellular structure to their function.

      Correct Answer:cell wall,contains cellulose; provides strength to cell and support to plant

      contains cellulose; provides strength to cell and support to plant

      Correct Answer:chloroplasts,contains chlorophyll where photosynthesis takes place

      contains chlorophyll where photosynthesis takes place

      Correct Answer:permanent vacuole,contains cell sap which helps keep the cell turgid

      contains cell sap which helps keep the cell turgid

      Q5.
      Where does aerobic respiration take place in cells?

      ribosomes
      chloroplasts
      nucleus
      Correct answer: mitochondria

      Q6.
      A cell that is adapted to perform a specific job is called a cell.

      Correct Answer: specialised, specialized, specalised, specalized

      Assessment exit quiz

      Download quiz pdf

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      Match the specialised cell to their function.

      Correct Answer:root hair cell,cover the outer surface of roots and absorb water and minerals

      cover the outer surface of roots and absorb water and minerals

      Correct Answer:xylem,transport water upwards from roots to leaves

      transport water upwards from roots to leaves

      Correct Answer:guard cell,control if the stomata are open or closed

      control if the stomata are open or closed

      Correct Answer:phloem,transport glucose and amino acids up and down the plant

      transport glucose and amino acids up and down the plant

      Q2.
      Which is not true for root hair cells?

      contain lots of mitochondria to transfer energy for active transport
      contain a large permanent vacuole to store water
      Correct answer: have broken down cell ends to create hollow tubes so water can flow easily
      large surface area to increase absorption of water and mineral ions

      Q3.
      Match the feature of the palisade cell to the advantage they provide.

      Correct Answer:have a column shape,can be packed together

      can be packed together

      Correct Answer:found at the top of the leaf,absorb lots of light energy

      absorb lots of light energy

      Correct Answer:contain lots of chloroplasts,where photosythesis occurs

      where photosythesis occurs

      Q4.
      Xylem cell walls are thickened with ; this provides strength to the hollow tubes.

      Correct Answer: lignin, lignins

      Q5.
      Which of these statements about phloem are correct?

      have sieve plates which provide energy to move glucose
      Correct answer: phloem are attached to companion cells that provide energy to move glucose
      transport water from roots to leaves
      Correct answer: contain few sub-cellular structures so more glucose can can travel through

      Q6.
      What happens to guard cells at night time?

      they absorb water by osmosis to become turgid
      Correct answer: they lose water to become flaccid
      Correct answer: stomata close to stop water leaving
      stomata open to allow water to evaporate

      Lesson appears in

      UnitBiology / Eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells

      UnitCombined science / Eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells