Saturday, July 28, 2012

STPM Biology - chapter 2: Revision essay question 7


7. Describe briefly the structure and functions of two organelles that are found in plant cell but not in animal cell.

Answer:                     

 Plant has cell wall and chloroplasts. Both of this organelle is not found in the animal cell. Cell wall is a rigid external cell wall that protects the plant and is only one cell thick. Cell wall is a non-living component located outside the plasma membrane and it is fully permeable. The cell wall made up a bundle of cellulose molecules known as microfibrils. Each microfibril composed about 3000 glucose residues condensed together and are held together by a matrix of pectin and hemicelluloses but the spaces between fibrils are not entirely filled with matrix. This lead to water, air and dissolved materials to pass freely through cell wall. The cell wall provides mechanical strength and skeletal support for the plant. The strong materials in cell wall has fibre-matrix system, the matrix provides stress to the fibres, which will have high ensile strength. The matrix also improves resistance to compression and protects them from infects of pathogen and possible chemical attack. The mature plant cell wall is made up of many layers. The first portion of young plant is created by primary cell wall. This layer is continues to grow. Fibrils in primary cell wall are arranged loosely. This arrangement of fibrils makes primary cell wall more elastic and allows for stretching during cell growth. The cells of soft tissues of plants have only primary cell wall and intercellular lamellae. After grow stops, cells become harder and more woody portions of the plant. This is due to the secondary wall is formed. Actually, the secondary wall is inserted between the plasma membrane and primary cell wall. The secondary cell wall is composed of compact layers or lamellae. In addition to cellulose, secondary wall also contains lignin, which is impermeable to water. As a result, leaving hard tube formed by their wall to functions as mechanical support and for internal transport. The cell wall also develops a coating of waxy cutin, the cuticle on the exposed epidermal surfaces to reduce water loss and risk infection.

Assignment submitted by S.M., Kang, E.S., Ong, T.W., Tan, K.Y., Ho. X.H., Wong 2011/2012 (IBM)


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