Plant cell: what is, parts, characteristics and functions

Plants are multicellular organisms formed by thousands of plant cells specialized in different functions. Therefore, we can say that among the Characteristics of plant cells It emphasizes that each of them is the Functional Unit of the Plantae Kingdom or of plants, in which processes and reactions occur that make their development possible.

According to the functions in which they specialize, we can distinguish three Types of plant cells.

Parenchyma cells

They form the main fabric of plant tissues and cells that compose it are called parenchymal cells. They are the most abundant cellular structures in plants, since it can represent 80% of its living cells.

The parenchymal tissue functions They are, depending on where you are:

• Performing photosynthesis.
• Storage or regeneration of tissues.

We can find this fabric in most parts of the plant organism, such as the bark or in the pulp of the fruits.

Colénquima cells

They form the colenchimatic tissue characterized by their resistance and flexibility. Colénquima cells are alive, they have an unequally thickened primary walls, which facilitates their differentiation with parenchyma cells.

They are not cells so widely distributed by plant organisms, but rather They are found in growth organsstem and herbaceous lagoon leaves.

Sclerenchym cells

Unlike Colénquima cells, these present thickened secondary wall and lignified and also, They are characterized by being dead cells. Its function is fundamentally that of support in organs that have stopped growing in the plant, such as the stem or leaves.

As a curiosity, to say that an example of sclerenchimatic cells are those granules that we notice when eating a pear, specifically, they are sclected, a type of sclerenchymal cells.

At this point in the article, then we will learn more about the plant cell and its specific parts.

You can read these other articles in which we talk in more detail about the types of plant tissues and Plantae kingdom: what is, characteristics, classification and examples.

In their adult state, these cells are different in structure and function between them, but they retain the same Basic eukaryotic organization.

This structure consists of the following parts of the plant cell:

• Core.
• Cytoplasm.
• Cytoskeleton.
• Cell membrane
• Cellulose cell wall.
• Vacuola
• Endoplasmic reticulum.
• Chloroplast and mitochondria.
• Complex or Golgi apparatus.

Now that you have seen the parts of the plant cell, we also recommend reading this other article about the difference between a eukaryotic cell and a prokaryotic cell.

The core of the plant cell It is an organelle that is surrounded by a double structure called nuclear wrapping. It is contained in the genetic information or DNA (Dexyribonucleic acid) Responsible for processes such as metabolism and cell growth and differentiation. The genetic information contained in each core of each plant cell is the same in all members of the same species.

Here you can expand the information about the cell nucleus: what is, characteristics, parts and function. And perhaps you are also interested in consulting the difference between DNA and RNA.

The following of the parts of the plant cell is the cytoplasm. Saying Cytoplasm of plant cells They compose it The cytosol and the organelles (minus the nucleus) that include cell content. Cytosol is the aqueous part that surrounds the organelles in which a large number of molecules are dissolved. In it there are very important cellular processes, such as metabolic reactions or cellular communication and between organelles.

Learn more about cytoplasm: what is, function and structure, here.

At this point in the plant cell and its parts, we find the cytoskeleton. The part of the plant cells known as cytoskeleton (cell skeleton) It is formed by a set of filaments composed of proteins that are distributed throughout the cytoplasm.

In addition, explained briefly and easily, we can indicate that the cytoskeleton is a part of the plant cell it has support functions, mobility and communication Among the organelles in the plant cell.

The Plasma cell membrane or membrane It is an essential part of the cell, in fact its breakage could lead to cell death. It is mostly formed by lipids and proteins and thanks to it it is possible to regulate the balance between the interior and outside of the cell. It supposes, therefore, a Physical barrier and in it there are also numerous essential chemical reactions for the plant cell.

Discover more about the plasma membrane: what is, functions and structure.

The following of the parts of the plant cell is the cellulose cell wall. The cell wall of the plant cell It is the external and rigid cover which is fundamentally formed by cellulose and its main function is that of protection. This cell wall is the structure by which the different cells of plant tissues are connected.

The vacuola represents between 80% and 90% of the volume of the plant cell and is surrounded by an vacuolar membrane. The content of this organelle is water or sugars among other components involved in the defense of the plant. The vacuola is responsible for maintaining the form and size to the cellas well as Store substances.

The endoplasmic reticulum is an organelle that is in contact with the nucleus and is formed by membranes forming flattened sacks. In the endoplasmic reticulum (re) there are two distinct parts: the part of the Re rhythful and the Reada re.

• The rugged re: It has Ribosomes (protein protein synthesis) associated with their membranes being more flattened.
• The smooth re: It does not have united ribosomes and also its membrane structure is more irregular.

The main function of the re is Protein and lipid synthesis.

We recommend reading these articles about the smooth endoplasmic reticulum: what is and function and the rough endoplasmic reticulum: what is and function.

Chloroplast and mitochondria are the Organelles of the plant cell in charge of energy production In the cell (here you can learn more about cellular organelles: what are, functions and examples). Both have an inner and an exterior membrane.

In The mitochondriathe internal membrane has a fold structure or invaginations called ridges and the outer membrane is smooth. It is in this organelle where breathing occurswhere, from the metabolism of sugars, energy is obtained. If you want to know more about mitochondria: function and structure, we leave you the following Ecology Verde.

On the other hand, Chloroplast He is responsible for producing chlorophyll, which is responsible for absorbing light for the realization of photosynthesis. Unlike the mitochondria, the internal membrane of the chloroplast is smooth and inside there are structures called tilacoides, where a series of proteins involved in photosynthesis are found.

He Complex or Golgi apparatus It is a structure formed by flattened membrane sacks along with a network of tubules and vesicles. It occurs in it The synthesis and secretion of polysaccharides Complex and, in addition, in plants and other vegetable cells, it has a very important role in the formation of the cell wall.

Now that you have learned what a plant cell, its parts and its functions, we want to clarify the similarities and the Differences between the plant cell and the animal cell. There are common parts between the plant and animal cell since both are eukaryotic cells, but there are also different structures between them.

• On the one hand, the plant cell has a Rigid external cell wall Formed by cellulose that is not present in the animal cell and that, in addition, gives it a more geometric appearance with respect to the animal cell.
• On the other hand, in the animal cell you can find small and numerous Vacuolaswhile in the plant cell it is normal for few or a single large one.
• Another difference between both cells is that in The cytoplasm of the vegetable there are Chloroplasts that allow the photosynthesis of the plants, one of the parts of the plant cell that the animal does not have. However, in the latter there are structures called Centriolos that are found in the cytoplasm too and are not present in plant cells.

Below you can see a table of the differences between animal and plant cell and, in addition, here you can consult our article with more detailed information on this topic. In this other post you will see more detailed information about the animal cell: what it is, its parts and functions.

If you want to read more articles similar to Plant cell: what is, parts, characteristics and functionswe recommend that you enter our biology category.