AQA · GCSE · Biology
Course version: 8461 · Version from Sept 2018
In addition to the parts found in animal cells, plant cells often have: •…
Full specification wording
Animal and plant cells: In addition to the parts found in animal cells, plant cells often have: • chloroplasts • a permanent vacuole filled with cell sap.
Animal cells share several structures with plant cells, including a cell membrane, cytoplasm, nucleus, mitochondria and ribosomes.
Checked against the AQA 8461 specification (opens in a new tab) on .
- Point 3 of 8
- 4 key terms
Study notes
From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.
The idea
Animal cells share several structures with plant cells, including a cell membrane, cytoplasm, nucleus, mitochondria and ribosomes. Plant cells often possess two additional structures. Chloroplasts contain chlorophyll and are the site of photosynthesis, so they absorb light energy to make glucose. A permanent vacuole is a fluid-filled space bounded by a membrane; it is filled with cell sap, a solution of sugars, salts and other solutes. The vacuole helps keep the cell firm by maintaining internal pressure, which supports soft plant tissue. For example, a leaf palisade cell contains many chloroplasts near the surface and a large permanent vacuole, whereas a human cheek cell has neither. The word 'often' matters: not every plant cell has chloroplasts, because root cells receive no light.
What earns the marks
- Names chloroplasts as the site of photosynthesis and links them to chlorophyll absorbing light energy.
- Describes the permanent vacuole as a fluid-filled space containing cell sap, a solution of sugars and salts.
- States that these structures are additional to those found in animal cells, which include the nucleus, cytoplasm, cell membrane, mitochondria and ribosomes.
- Explains that the vacuole helps maintain pressure and keep plant cells firm, supporting the plant.
- Recognises that chloroplasts are absent from plant cells that do not receive light, such as root hair cells.
Common mistakes and how to put them right
Saying all plant cells contain chloroplasts.
Put it right by noting that only plant cells exposed to light, such as palisade cells, contain them.
Confusing the permanent vacuole with a temporary food vacuole or with the whole cytoplasm.
Put it right by describing it as a membrane-bound space filled with cell sap.
Stating that the vacuole stores only water.
Put it right by describing cell sap as a solution containing sugars, salts and other solutes.
Exam tips
- When comparing cell types, draw or describe a two-column table so shared and additional structures are clearly separated.
- Use the phrase 'filled with cell sap' rather than just 'contains water' to match the specification wording.
- If asked why a root cell lacks chloroplasts, link your answer to the absence of light for photosynthesis.
Try the lesson
The start of the Animal and plant cells: In addition to the parts found in animal cells, plant cells often have: • chloroplasts • a permanent vacuole filled with cell sap. lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.
Have a go first
Which of the following describes the contents of the permanent vacuole often found in plant cells?
Listen
Animal cells share several structures with plant cells, including a cell membrane, cytoplasm, nucleus, mitochondria and ribosomes. Plant cells often possess two additional structures. Chloroplasts contain chlorophyll and are the site of photosynthesis, so they absorb light energy to make glucose. A permanent vacuole is a fluid-filled space bounded by a membrane; it is filled with cell sap, a solution of sugars, salts and other solutes. The vacuole helps keep the cell firm by maintaining internal pressure, which supports soft plant tissue. For example, a leaf palisade cell contains many chloroplasts near the surface and a large permanent vacuole, whereas a human cheek cell has neither. The word 'often' matters: not every plant cell has chloroplasts, because root cells receive no light. A strong answer earns marks for these points. Names chloroplasts as the site of photosynthesis and links them to chlorophyll absorbing light energy. Describes the permanent vacuole as a fluid-filled space containing cell sap, a solution of sugars and salts. States that these structures are additional to those found in animal cells, which include the nucleus, cytoplasm, cell membrane, mitochondria and ribosomes. Explains that the vacuole helps maintain pressure and keep plant cells firm, supporting the plant. A common slip: Saying all plant cells contain chloroplasts. Instead, noting that only plant cells exposed to light, such as palisade cells, contain them. Exam tip: When comparing cell types, draw or describe a two-column table so shared and additional structures are clearly separated.
Key words
Say what each word means before you turn the card.
Chloroplasts
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Permanent vacuole
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Cell sap
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Photosynthesis
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See every definition
- Chloroplasts
- Structures that contain chlorophyll and are the site of photosynthesis, absorbing light energy to make glucose.
- Permanent vacuole
- A fluid-filled space bounded by a membrane, filled with cell sap, which helps keep the cell firm by maintaining internal pressure.
- Cell sap
- A solution of sugars, salts and other solutes that fills the permanent vacuole.
- Photosynthesis
- The process carried out in chloroplasts, which absorb light energy to make glucose.
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