CELLSAll living things are made up of cells. Cells are like tiny towns, constantly producing and transporting all the things needed for life. At Plant Energy Biology, we study how plant cells work. Let’s take a closer look at what cells are made up of, and how plant and animal cells are different.

Ribosomes and endoplasmic reticulumA network of machines and sacs for making and activating proteins

Cell wall Protects plant cells and helps hold the plant up, as a plant has no skeleton!

ChloroplastsConvert light energy and CO2 into sugars and oxygen in photosynthesis

MitochondriaPower the cell by making energy

Golgi apparatusCollects, packages and distributes proteins and other molecules made in the cell

CytosolGel-like solution of molecules which holds the organelles

Vacuole A “storage bin” for food, water and wastes

PLANT CELL

ANIMAL CELL

NucleusContains genetic information (DNA) and controls the cell’s activities

Cell membrane Provides a wrapping for the cell but allows exchanges between cells

CytoskeletonHelps transport cargo (organelles, proteins, etc) around the cell

ONLY FOUND IN PLANT CELLS

FOUND IN BOTH PLANT AND ANIMAL CELLS

PeroxisomesBreak down oils for energy