Comparing Plant and Animal Cell Organelles
This section focuses on the similarities and differences between plant and animal cell organelles, crucial for understanding how enzymes work in biology AQA paper 1. Both plant and animal cells share common organelles such as nuclei, mitochondria, ribosomes, cell membranes, and cytoplasm. However, plant cells possess additional structures not found in animal cells.
Definition: Organelles are specialized structures within cells that perform specific functions.
The nucleus, present in both cell types, holds DNA and controls cellular activities. Mitochondria serve as the powerhouse of the cell, where respiration occurs to release energy. Ribosomes are responsible for protein production, while the cell membrane regulates what enters and exits the cell. The cytoplasm provides a medium for cellular reactions to take place.
Highlight: Plant cells have unique organelles not found in animal cells, including vacuoles, chloroplasts, and cell walls.
Plant cells contain vacuoles, which are spaces within the cell, chloroplasts where photosynthesis occurs, and cell walls that provide structural support. These additional structures allow plants to perform functions such as photosynthesis and maintain rigidity, which are not necessary for animal cells.
Example: To compare functions of plant and animal cell organelles, consider how chloroplasts in plant cells enable photosynthesis, a process not found in animal cells.
