Question

the plant cell
directions: place the correct letter in the data table to indicate the correct organelle.
describe the function / purpose of each organelle in the cell.

organelle\tdiagram location (letter)\tfunction
cell (plasma) membrane\t\t
cell wall\t\t
cytoplasm\t\t
golgi complex\t\t
chloroplast\t\t
mitochondria\t\t
nuclear membrane\t\t
nucleus\t\t
nucleolus\t\t
ribosome\t\t
rough endoplasmic reticulum\t\t
smooth endoplasmic reticulum\t\t
vacuole\t\t

©teachnology, inc., 2003

Answer:

To solve this plant cell organelle identification and function assignment, we analyze each organelle:

1. Cell (Plasma) Membrane

• Diagram Location: A
• Function: Regulates the movement of substances in and out of the cell; maintains cell integrity.

2. Cell Wall

• Diagram Location: G
• Function: Provides structural support, protection, and shape to the plant cell; prevents over-expansion when water enters.

3. Cytoplasm

• Diagram Location: E
• Function: Gel - like substance where organelles are suspended; site of many cellular reactions.

4. Golgi Complex (Apparatus)

• Diagram Location: H
• Function: Modifies, sorts, and packages proteins and lipids for transport (within the cell or for secretion).

5. Chloroplast

• Diagram Location: C (and L, as chloroplasts are multiple in plant cells)
• Function: Site of photosynthesis; converts light energy into chemical energy (glucose) using chlorophyll.

6. Mitochondria

• Diagram Location: B (and other similar - shaped organelles, e.g., the curved ones)
• Function: Site of cellular respiration; produces ATP (energy) for the cell.

7. Nuclear Membrane

• Diagram Location: K
• Function: Surrounds the nucleus; regulates the passage of materials between the nucleus and cytoplasm.

8. Nucleus

• Diagram Location: I
• Function: Contains genetic material (DNA); controls cell growth, metabolism, and reproduction.

9. Nucleolus

• Diagram Location: D
• Function: Produces ribosomal RNA (rRNA) and assembles ribosomes.

10. Ribosome

• Diagram Location: The small dots (not labeled with a single letter, but if we consider the general location, they are scattered in cytoplasm and on rough ER)
• Function: Site of protein synthesis (translates mRNA into proteins).

11. Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum (Rough ER)

• Diagram Location: Associated with ribosomes (near nucleus, e.g., around I/K area)
• Function: Synthesizes and transports proteins (has ribosomes attached, giving it a “rough” appearance).

12. Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum (Smooth ER)

• Diagram Location: Near rough ER or other regions
• Function: Synthesizes lipids, detoxifies substances, and stores calcium (lacks ribosomes, so “smooth”).

13. Vacuole

• Diagram Location: F (and J, as plant cells have large central vacuole and sometimes smaller ones)
• Function: Stores water, nutrients, waste products; provides turgor pressure to support the cell.

We can now fill the table:

Organelle	Diagram Location (Letter)	Function
cell wall	G	Provides support, protection, and shape to the plant cell
cytoplasm	E	Gel - like matrix for organelles; site of cellular reactions
golgi complex	H	Modifies, sorts, and packages proteins/lipids for transport
chloroplast	C, L	Site of photosynthesis; produces glucose from light energy
mitochondria	B (and others)	Produces ATP via cellular respiration (energy for the cell)
nuclear membrane	K	Regulates material passage between nucleus and cytoplasm
nucleus	I	Contains DNA; controls cell activities (growth, metabolism, reproduction)
nucleolus	D	Produces rRNA and assembles ribosomes
ribosome	Scattered (e.g., in E)	Site of protein synthesis (translates mRNA)
rough endoplasmic reticulum	Near I/K (with ribosomes)	Synthesizes and transports proteins (has ribosomes)
smooth endoplasmic reticulum	Near rough ER	Synthesizes lipids, detoxifies, stores calcium (no ribosomes)
vacuole	F, J	Stores water, nutrients, waste; provides turgor pressure

(Note: The exact letter for some organelles like ribosomes, rough ER, and smooth ER may vary slightly based on the diagram’s detail, but the above is a standard interpretation for a typical plant cell diagram.)