Bot 111.

1: Plant Morphoanatomy and Diversity

EXERCISE 2
Plant Cells

Name: Karen Mae L. Silla Date performed: February 1, 2019

Section: BC Date submitted: February 4, 2019

I. Introduction

Plant cells are the basic unit of life in organisms of the kingdom Plantae. They are
eukaryotic cells, which have a true nucleus along with specialized structures called organelles that
carry out different functions. Plant cells are differentiated from the cells of other organisms by
their cell walls, chloroplasts, and large central vacuole. Photosynthesis takes place in chloroplasts;
cell walls allow plants to have strong, upright structures; and vacuoles help regulate how cells
handle water and storage of other molecules.

II. Objectives

At the end of this exercise the students should be able to identify the major parts of a plant cell;
describe the functions of the major plant organelles; and to estimate the size of a cell. Another
objective is to be able to accurately sketch, and identify the different organelles and other cellular
components of the cells being examined.

III. Procedure

Cork Cells

In preparing a wet mount of a cork cell, first we cut a thin section of cork. Individual cells were
better seen when we cut a really thin section of the cork after examining it under the low objective.
We drew few cork cells and labelled the cell wall. The cell wall is the outermost part of a plant
cell which provides support to the cell. After which, we estimated the size of a single cell. Under
the HPO, first, we counted the number of cells that span the field of view. Then we placed the
centimeter side of a thin plastic ruler under the field of view and counted how many tick marks are
visible through the microscope to measure the diameter of the field of view. Each tick mark within
a centimeter was a millimeter. To calculate the size of a single cell, we divided the size of the field
of view by the number of cells visible. The size of a single cell was equal to the diameter of
field/number of cells visible
Bot 111.1: Plant Morphoanatomy and Diversity

Onion Epidermis

The wet mount slide of onion epidermis was prepared by first, we obtained a small sample of
onion epidermis, taken from one of the onion bulb scale. The tissue was thin and had a tendency
to curl at the edges so we placed it flat on the surface of the slide. Then, we added two drops of
iodine solution to the onion epidermis. Next, we examined the slide using LPO and found a region
of the sample where the cells were flat on the surface of the slide and when the area appeared
focused, we then switched to high power after. Subsequently, we tried to locate the following
structures such as the cell wall, cytoplasm, nucleus and the nucleolus. We drew a single epidermal
cell and labelled the mentioned structures earlier.

Elodea Leaf

We made a wet mount of an entire Elodea leaf and examined it under LPO. The best area to
observe was between the edge of the leaf and the midrib (vein). When it was in focus, we switched
to high power and identified the cell wall, cytoplasm, central vacuole, chloroplasts, and nucleus.
Then we drew a typical Elodea cell and labelled the said structures.

Potato Tuber

A small, thin section from the interior of a potato (not the skin) was cut to be able to make
a wet mount. Afterwards, the slide was examined under LPO. We focused on where we can see
intact cells clearly which was found toward the edge of the specimen. Within the cell, we saw
amyloplasts then we shifted to HPO to see it in more detail after adding a small drop of iodine
solution to the specimen. Then, we drew a few potato tuber cell and labelled its cell wall,
amyloplast, and intercellurar spaces.

Tomato Pulp Cells

For this slide, a wet mount of tomato pulp cells was prepared from the pulp of the tomato
fruit. The region closest to the epidermis was taken as the specimen but not including the tomato
epidermis as a sample. Then the cells were observed under LPO. After focusing on an area of the
sample where the cells can be clearly seen, we then switched to HPO. Next is we sketched a tomato
pulp cell and labelled the cell wall and chromoplasts.

Tomato Epidermis

First, a thin section of tomato epidermis was taken as the specimen and was used in this
wet mount. We observed the cells under HPO. The torn edge was the best location to see the
Bot 111.1: Plant Morphoanatomy and Diversity

thinnest region of the specimen. Then after drawing a few tomato epidermal cells, we labelled the
cell wall, cytoplasm and plasmodesmata.

Zebrina Stem

To prepare a wet mount slide for this, we obtained our specimen by cutting a thin cross
section of Zebrina stem. If one cannot observe the raphides, one must use a razor blade to chop
the stem section on the slide. Then, replace the cover slip after adding a drop of water.
After that, we observed the slide under LPO. The raphides were most visible along the cut edges
of the stem. They were colorless and appeared as thin, elongated structures, usually with pointed
ends. After that, we sketched a few raphides.

IV. Results and Discussion

Plant cells are eukaryotic cells i.e., the DNA in a plant cell is enclosed within the nucleus. The
most important distinctive structure of plant cell is the presence of the cell wall outside the cell
membrane. It forms the outer lining of the cell. The cell wall mostly constitutes of cellulose and
its main function is providing support and rigidity. Plants cells also contain many membrane bound
cellular structures. These organelles carry out specific functions necessary for survival and normal
operation of the cells. There are a wide range of operations like producing hormones, enzymes,
and all metabolic activities of the cell.
The bulk of the outer bark of a woody plant is made up of of cork cells. These cells are dead;
however, they continue to function in supporting the plant and protecting it from pathogens and
desiccation. A fully fomed cork cell will accumulate large amounts of waterproofing compounds
in their cell wall, which eventually leads to the cell’s death. At maturity the cells are dead and have
no cytoplasm or any internal structures. Cork cells are inconsistently shaped and sized, whereas
the epidermal cells are longer and more “brick” shaped. The approximate size of the cell was
0.0019 mm. Cell wall is the outermost part of a plant cell which has the primary role for structure,
helps prevent osmotic lysis and protection. Furthermore, a major function of the cell wall is to give
the cell strength and structure, and to filter molecules that pass in and out of the cell. There are
differences in the thickness of cell walls seen in various specimens because it depends on where
is the specimen located in the plant. Different cells need different amounts of support.
Rhapides are elongated, crystals that function in storage and protection while plastids create
and store food and pigments and are membrane-bound organelles. In this exercise we’ve known
that plastids are a group of organelles found in plant cells. All the plastids studied in this exercise
store varying types of pigments. All plastids in general have multiple membranes, contain DNA
and perform specialized functions. Furthermore, tthe epidermis (from the Greek ἐπιδερμίς,
meaning "over-skin") is a single layer of cells that covers the leaves, flowers, roots and stems of
plants. It forms a boundary between the plant and the external environment. The epidermis serves
Bot 111.1: Plant Morphoanatomy and Diversity

several functions: it protects against water loss, regulates gas exchange, secretes metabolic
compounds, and (especially in roots) absorbs water and mineral nutrients (Wikipedia, 2018).
For the tomato epidermis, plasmodesmatas are holes in the cell wall between cells that allow
cells to be interconnected. It causes cells to lose some of their individuality in turn for being able
to function in a coordinated way with the other cells.
Chloroplasts and chromoplasts (in tomato pulp cells) are both plastids that contain pigments.
Chloroplasts contain chlorophyll, appear green and are responsible for photosynthesis.
Chromoplasts store pigments that aren’t chlorophyll and are found in clusters around the nucleus.
Moreover, we observed that amyloplast is more similar to chloroplasts because like amyloplast,
chloroplasts also store starch. Amyloplasts don’t store pigments, like chromoplasts do.
Chromoplasts are formed either from chloroplast or from leucoplast. The amyloplasts (a type of
leucoplast) store starch grains and found in potato tubers, rice, wheat etc. In the Zebrina stem
tissue, crystal formation turns harmful waste into insoluble forms that do not damage the cell.
Crystals can also be used as a defense mechanism in the plant to stop animals or humans from
eating it.
The features that are distinctive in plant cells are as follows:

Plant cells contain cell structures like cell wall, plastids, and large vacuoles. Cell wall
provide plant cells rigidity and structural support and cell to cell interaction. Plastids help in storage
of plant products. Chloroplasts aid in carrying out the process of photosynthesis to produce food
for the plants. Vacuoles are water-filled, membrane bound organelles which stores useful
materials. Plants have specialized cells in order to perform certain functions for the survival of
plants. Some cells manufacture and store organic molecules, others transport nutrients throughout
the plant. Some specialized plant cells include: parenchyma cells, collenchyma cells, sclerenchyma
cells, water conducting cells and food conducting cells. Plants cell constitute of membrane bound
nucleus and many cellular structures. These organelles carry out functions that are necessary for
the proper functioning and survival of the cell. The cell organelles of the plant are enclosed by a
cell wall and cell membrane. The constituents of the cell are suspended in the cytoplasm or cytosol.
The parts of the plant cell are as follows: cell wall is the outermost rigid covering of the
plant cell. It is a salient feature of plant cell. Cell membrane or the plasma membrane is the outer
lining of the cell inside the cell wall. Cytosol or cytoplasm is the gel-like matrix inside the cell
membrane which constitutes all other cell organelles. Nucleus is the control center of the cell. It is
a membrane bound structure which contains the hereditary material of the cell - the DNA
Chloroplast is a plastid with green pigment chlorophyll. It traps light energy and converts it to
chemical energy by the process of photosynthesis. Mitochondria carries out cellular respiration
and provides energy to the cells. Vacuoles are the temporary storage center of the cell. Golgi body
is the unit where proteins are sorted and packed. Ribosomes are structures that assemble proteins.
Endoplasmic reticulum are membrane covered organelles that transport materials.
All parts of the plant play a significant role in the proper functioning of the cell. Unlike
animals, plant cells are surrounded by a rigid cell wall.
Cell wall: The cell wall is a rigid layer that surrounds the plant cells. It is made up of
cellulose. Cell wall is a characteristic feature to cells of plants. Plant cell walls are primarily made
Bot 111.1: Plant Morphoanatomy and Diversity

up of cellulose. Plant cell wall consists of three layers: the primary cell wall, secondary cell wall
and the middle lamella. It is located outside the cell membrane whose main function is to provide
rigidity, strength, protection against mechanical stress and infection. Cell wall is made up of
cellulose, pectins,glycoproteins, hemicellulose and lignin. Cell membrane: It is the outer boundary
of the cell, it encloses the cytoplasm and the organelles of the cells. In plants cells it is inside the
cell wall. The cell membrane is semi permeable, allowing only specific substances to pass through
and blocking others. Chloroplasts: It is an elongated or disc-shaped organelle containing
chlorophyll. They have two membranes and have structures that look like stack of coins. They are
flattened structures which contain chemical chlorophyll. The process of photosynthesis occurs in
this region of the plant cell. The chlorophyll is a green pigment that absorbs energy from sunlight
to make food for the plants by converting light energy into chemical energy. Structure of
chloroplast includes, cytoskeleton: It is a network of fibers made up of micro-tubule and micro-
filament. They maintain the shape and gives support to the cell. Microtubules: They are hollow
cylinder like structures found in the cytoplasm of the cells. Its function is transport and structural
support. Microfilaments: Microfialments are solid rod like structures whose primary function is
structural support. Plasmodesmata: They are microscopic channels which traverse the cell walls
of plant cells and enables transport and communication between them. Vacuole: Vacuoles are
known as cells storage center. Plant cells have large membrane bound chamber called vacuole. Its
main function is storage. Vacuoles are found in the cytoplasm of most plant cells. They are
membrane bound organelles, they perform functions of secretion, excretion and storage.
Tonoplast: A vacuole that is surrounded by a membrane is called tonoplast. Plastids: Plastids are
storage organelles. They store products like starch for synthesis of fatty acids and terpenes.
Leucoplast: They are a type of plastid which are non-pigmented. Chromoplast: They are plastids
responsible for pigment synthesis and storage. They are found in photosynthetic eukaryotic
species. They are found in colored organs of plants like fruits and flowers. Golgi complex: The
Golgi bodies look like the endoplasmic reticulum and are situated near the nucleus. They are found
in almost all eukaryotic cells. Their main function is to process and package macromolecules
synthesized from other parts of the cell. The Golgi apparatus is referred to as the cell's packaging
center. Ribosomes: Ribosomes are smallest and the most abundant cell organelle. It comprises of
RNA and protein. Ribosomes are sites for protein synthesis. They are found in all cells because
protein are necessary for the survival of the cell. The ribososomes are known as the protein
factories of the cell. Endoplasmic reticulum: Endoplasmic reticulum is a membrane bound
compartment, which look like flattened sacs lined side by side. It is a large network of
interconnecting membrane tunnels. It is composed of both rough endoplasmic reticulum and
smooth endoplasmic reticulum. They are responsible for protein translation, and protein transport
to be used in the cell membrane. They also aid in sequestration of calcium, and production and
storage of glycogen and other macromolecules. Mitochondria: Mitochondria are surrounded by
two membranes. They are described as the 'power plants' of the cell as they convert glucose to
energy molecules (ATP). They possess their own hereditary material which help in self duplication
and multiplication. Lysosome: Lysosome contain digestive enzymes. They digest excess or worn
Bot 111.1: Plant Morphoanatomy and Diversity

out organelles, food particles and any foreign bodies. Microbody: It is a single membrane bound
organelle that comprises of degradative enzymes. Cytoplasm: It is a gel-like matrix inside enclosed
by the cell membrane. The cytoplasm supports cell organelles and also prevents the cell from
bursting or shrinking. Nucleus: It is the control center of the cell. It is bound by a double membrane
known as the nuclear envelope. It is a porous membrane, it allows passage of substances and is a
distinctive characteristic of the eukaryotic cell. Most of the genetic material is organized as
multiple long linear DNA molecules. The nucleus directs all the activities of the cell and also help
in protein formation.

V. Conclusion

In this exercise, we were able to identify the major parts of the plant cell as well as their
respective and distinct functions. We were also able to estimate the size of the cell. Furthermore,
we were also able to sketch and identify the different organelles and other cellular components of
the cell.
Bot 111.1: Plant Morphoanatomy and Diversity

VI. Appendix
Bot 111.1: Plant Morphoanatomy and Diversity
Bot 111.1: Plant Morphoanatomy and Diversity

VII. References

Distinguish chloroplast, chromoplast, and amyloplast?. (n.d.). Retrieved from

https://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20111010165226AADJWyD&guccounte
r=1&fbclid=IwAR0dynbvv2xcEm7B2iU7VCc2fUVTBxYnU7IIxqVIxLkNK543NMQ9
wwU_W-Q
Distinguish chloroplast, chromoplast, and amyloplast?. (n.d.). Retrieved from
https://uk.answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20110308051429AAqaNHG&fbclid=I
wAR1E3U61kWXIO_qQVvduEL6JyRGBA_fjDbIxaurbvpDGu6XaIL2YhtEa0c8
Emily, B. (n.d.). Ch 2: Plant Cells. Retrieved from https://www.studyblue.com/notes/note/n/ch-2-
plant-cells/deck/12972294
Epidermis (botany). (2018, October 9). Retrieved from
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epidermis_(botany)
Lorne, S. (n.d.) Lab Practical 2. Retrieved from https://www.studyblue.com/notes/note/n/lab-
practical-
2/deck/13050876?fbclid=IwAR29Q3yH14suZwQJ4Yo1VJnJH06oruR4MhBp766yFYaQ
IB4og2fVQl6nhs4
Nakata, P. A. (2012, June 1). Plant calcium oxalate crystal formation, function, and its impact on
human health. Retrieved from
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/m/pubmed/15862089/?fbclid=IwAR1E3U61kWXIO_qQV
vduEL6JyRGBA_fjDbIxaurbvpDGu6XaIL2YhtEa0c8
Plant Cell. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://biology.tutorvista.com/animal-and-plant-cells/plant-
cell.html
Plant Cells. (n.d.). Retrieved from
(http://samples.jbpub.com/9781284111842/9781284111842_CH02_OnlineCat.pdf
Plastids - Leucoplasts, Chromoplasts and Chloroplasts.
https://www.biologyexams4u.com/2012/06/plastids.html?m=1&fbclid=IwAR3xXFqcGT
fpfJUuqSlP-juJWkOf6yzjzNJ4BbY66iHZPHUo6DXqZCDpCCc