Plant Cells
Plant cells are cells found in all plants, and are the basic structural, functional and biological unit of all plant life. Plant cells have a cell wall, chloroplasts, mitochondria, a large central vacuole, and plastids. The cell wall is composed of cell membrane and an outer layer of cellulose, and it is often made up of several layers, depending on the species. Chloroplasts are the main sites of photosynthesis in plants and contain chlorophyll and other pigments necessary for photosynthesis. Mitochondria are the powerhouses of the cell, producing ATP through the oxidation of energy sources. The large central vacuole is like a storage compartment where water, ions, and proteins are kept. Plastids are organelles which store or produce food sources or pigments, or they may produce or store oils and waxes. Plant cells are essential to all life as they are a major contributor of the oxygen we breathe, as well as food and raw materials.
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