Biology-Plants and Photosynthesis

Biology:Plants and Photosynthesis 

(Animals vs Plants)

Maya Nylund 7v

1.Differences between plants/animals

   Plants and animal cells differ structurally. Plants have a thick cell wall which is not found in animals, and plants depend on chloroplasts to use sun and carbon dioxide matter to perform photosynthesis. Plants and animals also take in different essential gases. While animals take in oxygen and give off carbon dioxide as a byproduct, plants take in carbon dioxide, which, using energy from the sun, they turn into sugar. Plants give off oxygen as a byproduct. Animals and plants function differently. While plants and are stationary animals can move. However, plants can grow indefinitely, and an animals growth is fixed. Also, animals have organ systems necessary for metabolic function and complex nerve systems which plants do not require. 

2.Compare plant and animal cells

http://www.painesville-township.k12.oh.us/userfiles/712/Classes/54908/Plant%20and%20animal%20VENN%20diagram.PNG

  As mentioned earlier, plants have a thick cell wall which animals do not, and chloroplasts/chlorophyl which they use to create their own food-a quality/structural cell element that animals do not have. Aside from that, most plants cells have central vacuoles which are not found in animals. The shape of a basic plant and animal cell is also different- plant cells tend to be more boxy or rectangular while animal cells tend to curve in a circular outline. Similarities include the presence of a nucleus, cytoplasm and a cell membrane.

     

3.Describe the function of following parts of a plant cell: Cell wall, cell membrane, nucleus, cytoplasm, vacuole, chloroplast.

 

Cell wall- Cell walls maintain and determine the the shape of a plant cell. Cell walls regulate plant cells under water pressure and during the progression of cell functions. They create physical barriers between cells and the outside, and allow growth and protection.

Cell membrane- Cell membranes are thin linings between cell walls and cytoplasm. They preserve the integrity of a plant cell by filtering and regulating what enters the interior of the cell. 

Nucleus- A nucleus contains the DNA of a plant cell. It also controls all of its functions by communicating with the surrounding cytoplasm using nuclear pores.

Cytoplasm-Cytoplasm suspends the other elements of the interior cell, therefore supporting it's interior structure. It maintains the shape and consistency of a cell. It stores essential chemicals used for cell function. 

Vacuole- The vacuole stores and isolates substances that may be harmful to a cell, and exports unwanted substances. It stores nutrients and food as well. It also maintains an acidic internal pH.

Chloroplast- Chloroplasts contain chlorophyl which is used to create sugar. They're function is to create necessary sugars and starches using photosynthesis- a process which uses carbon dioxide, solar energy and water to create food.