Cell : The Unit of Life

The cell is established as the fundamental structural and functional unit of all living organisms, a concept solidified by the observations of scientists like Robert Hooke, who first coined the term. This chapter introduces the cell theory, which states that all living things are composed of cells, cells are the basic units of life, and all new cells arise from pre-existing cells. Organisms can be unicellular, like an amoeba, performing all life functions within a single cell, or multicellular, like plants and animals, where cells become specialized for specific tasks. The chapter draws a clear distinction between the simpler prokaryotic cells, which lack a defined nucleus (e.g., bacteria), and the more complex eukaryotic cells, which have a true nucleus and membrane-bound organelles, found in organisms like plants, animals, and fungi.

Delving deeper, the structure of a generalized eukaryotic cell is explored, highlighting its major components. Every cell is enclosed by a plasma membrane, a thin, selective barrier that regulates the movement of substances in and out. Inside, the cytoplasm is a jelly-like substance that houses various organelles. The most prominent organelle is the nucleus, the control centre of the cell, which contains the genetic material (DNA) and dictates cellular activities. Other crucial organelles include the endoplasmic reticulum (for transport and synthesis), Golgi apparatus (for packaging and storage), mitochondria (the powerhouse for energy production), ribosomes (sites of protein synthesis), and lysosomes (digestive sacks). A key difference between plant and animal cells is also emphasized: plant cells have a rigid cell wall for structural support and chloroplasts containing chlorophyll for photosynthesis, which are absent in animal cells.

In conclusion, the chapter underscores that the complex functions of an entire organism are the collective result of the activities and interactions of its individual cells and their organelles. Each part of the cell performs a specific, vital function, much like the organs in a body, leading to the concept of the cell as a self-contained living unit. Understanding this cellular organization is therefore fundamental to the study of biology, as it provides the basis for comprehending how life processes such as growth, reproduction, and response to the environment are carried out at the most basic level.

• Multiple choice type

Question 1. 

Which of the following cell organelles is correctly matched with its function?

1. Ribosomes → Synthesis of proteins
2. Mitochondria → Secretion of proteins
3. Plasma membrane → Freely permeable 
4. Centrosome → Carries genes

Question 2. 

All life starts as _________. 

1. an egg
2. a single cell
3. a gene
4. a chromosome

Question 3. 

Which one of the following is found both in the cells of a mango plant and a monkey?

1. Chloroplasts
2. centrioles
3. cell wall
4. cell membrane

Question 4. 

A plant cell can be identified from an animal cell by the :

1. absence of centrosome
2. presence of cell membranes.
3. Presence of vacuoles
4. none of the above

Question 5. 

A plant cell has a cell wall made of :

1. Protein
2. Fructose
3. Cellulose
4. Fatty acid

Question 6. 

The cell organelle that helps in the respiration of the cell is :

1. Mitochondria
2. Lysosome
3. Ribosome
4. Centrosome

• Very short answer type

Question 1. 

1. Name the part of the cell concerned with the following : Liberation of energy 

2. Name the part of the cell concerned with the following : Synthesis of proteins  

3. Name the part of the cell concerned with the following : Transmission of hereditary characters from parents to offspring 

4. Name the part of the cell concerned with the following : Initiation of cell division 

5. Name the part of the cell concerned with the following: Hydrolytic in function

6. Name the part of the cell concerned with the following : The entry of only certain substances into and out of the cell.

Ans:

Here are the parts of the cell concerned with the listed functions:

1. Liberation of energy: Mitochondria (specifically, cellular respiration to produce ATP).
2. Synthesis of proteins: Ribosomes (either free in the cytoplasm or attached to the Endoplasmic Reticulum).
3. Transmission of hereditary characters from parents to offspring: Chromosomes (found within the Nucleus).
4. Initiation of cell division: Centrosome (in animal cells; plant cells use a different mechanism).
5. Hydrolytic in function: Lysosomes (contain hydrolytic enzymes to digest waste and cellular debris).
6. The entry of only certain substances into and out of the cell: Cell membrane (or Plasma membrane).

Question 2. 

1. State whether the following statement is true (T) or False (F): All animal cells contain a cell wall.

True

False 

2. State whether the following statement is true (T) or False (F): The cell wall is made of protein.

True

False

3. State whether the following statement is true (T) or False (F): Centrosomes occur in animal cells.

True

False

4. State whether the following statement is true (T) or False (F): Plant cells contain large vacuoles.

True

False

5. State whether the following statement is true (T) or False (F): Protoplasm is the part of the cell which surrounds the nucleus.

True

False

6. State whether the following statement is true (T) or False (F): Anthocyanins are the pigments of flowers, which are dissolved in cell-sap.

True

False

7. State whether the following statement is true (T) or False (F): Genes are located on a chromosome.

True

False

Ans:

1. False (F). Only plant cells, fungi cells, and bacterial cells have a cell wall. Animal cells have a cell membrane but lack a rigid cell wall.
2. False (F). The cell wall in plants is primarily made of cellulose (a carbohydrate).
3. True (T). Centrosomes, which contain centrioles, are a key feature of most animal cells and play a crucial role in cell division. They are generally absent in higher plant cells.
4. True (T). A characteristic feature of mature plant cells is a single, large central vacuole that stores water and maintains turgor pressure.
5. False (F). Cytoplasm is the part of the cell that surrounds the nucleus. Protoplasm is the collective term for the entire living content of the cell, including the cytoplasm and the nucleus.
6. True (T). Anthocyanins (responsible for red, purple, and blue colors in many flowers and fruits) are water-soluble pigments and are typically stored dissolved in the cell-sap within the large central vacuole of plant cells.
7. True (T). A gene is a specific sequence of DNA that occupies a specific location on a chromosome and codes for a specific product, usually a protein.

Question 3. 

How many chromosome pairs are found in human cells?

Ans:

The essential chemical substance that makes up genes is Deoxyribonucleic acid, universally abbreviated as DNA.

DNA serves as the fundamental hereditary material in all cellular life. It contains the complete set of coded instructions required for an organism’s development, growth, maintenance, and reproduction. These long, intricate molecules store the biological information that is passed from one generation to the next.

Question 4. 

What is the name of the chemical substance which constitutes the genes? 

Ans:

The essential chemical material that forms the structure of genes is Deoxyribonucleic acid, universally abbreviated as DNA.

DNA serves as the fundamental hereditary material in all established life forms and numerous viruses. It contains the complete set of instructions—the genetic code—required for an organism’s development, operation, maintenance, and reproduction.

Question 5. 

Match the item in column ‘A’ with those in column ‘B’.

Column A	Column B
(a) Vacuoles	(i) Intracellular digestion
(b) Nucleolus	(ii) Respiratory enzymes
(c) Lysosomes	(iii) Covered by tonoplast
(d) Anthocyanin	(iv) Dissolved in the cytoplasm
(e) Cristae	(v) Forms RNA

Ans:

Column A	Column B
(a) Vacuoles	(iii) Covered by tonoplast
(b) Nucleolus	(v) Forms RNA
(c) Lysosomes	(i) Intracellular digestion
(d) Anthocyanin	(iv) Dissolved in the cytoplasm (Specifically, dissolved in the cell sap within the vacuole, which is part of the protoplast/cytoplasm)
(e) Cristae	(ii) Respiratory enzymes

Question 6. 

1. _________ consists of membranous sacs and secrets 40 types of digestive enzymes. 2. ________ is surrounded by microtubules, located near the nucleus. 

3. Fill in the blanks : Very thin flexible, a living membrane which is differentially permeable, is called__.

4. Fill in the blanks : More than a thousand chromosomes are found in the nucleus of certain _______.

5. Fill in the blanks : _______ are hereditary units.

6. Fill in the blanks : __________ is a plastid which stores starch.

Ans:

1. Lysosomes consist of membranous sacs and secret 40 types of digestive enzymes.
2. The centrosome is surrounded by microtubules, located near the nucleus.
3. Very thin, flexible, a living membrane which is differentially permeable, is called Cell membrane (or Plasma membrane).
4. More than a thousand chromosomes are found in the nucleus of certain Protozoans (specifically, some species like Aulacantha).
5. Genes are hereditary units.
6. Amyloplast is a plastid which stores starch.

• Short answer type

Question 1.

It is said that the protoplasm cannot be analyzed chemically. Why?

Ans:

It is said that protoplasm cannot be definitively analyzed chemically because it is a highly complex, dynamic, and ever-changing colloidal substance that constitutes the living matter of a cell.

Here are the main reasons why a complete chemical analysis is impossible:

1. Death and Alteration 

• Analysis Kills: Any process used to chemically analyze protoplasm (such as grinding, heating, drying, or adding chemical reagents) destroys its living structure and instantly stops its life processes.
• Chemical Change: Once the protoplasm dies, the complex chemical reactions cease, the delicate balance of its components is lost, and its molecules begin to break down or react in new ways. What is analyzed is no longer the true, living protoplasm.

2. Dynamic and Changing Composition 

• Continuous Reactions: Protoplasm is not a static substance but a system where thousands of metabolic reactions (like respiration, synthesis, and breakdown) are occurring simultaneously and continuously.
• Variability: Its chemical composition, including the concentration of water, enzymes, ions, and organic molecules, is constantly changing moment-to-moment based on the cell’s current activity (e.g., digesting food, producing energy, or dividing). A snapshot analysis is only valid for that single instant under those specific conditions.

3. Physical State and Complexity

• Colloidal Nature: Protoplasm exists in a colloidal state (a complex mixture of solutes, gels, and sols). The chemical properties are intrinsically linked to its physical state and organization. Breaking this organization renders the analysis irrelevant to its function as living matter.

Question 2.

What is the difference between an organ and an organelle?

Ans:

Feature	Organ	Organelle
Scale	Macroscopic (Visible to the naked eye).	Microscopic/Sub-cellular (Only visible under a microscope).
Location	Found in multicellular organisms (like animals and plants).	Found inside a cell (both single-celled and multicellular organisms).
Composition	Made up of multiple tissues (a collection of cells).	Made up of molecules (proteins, lipids, nucleic acids) and is usually enclosed by a membrane.
Function	Performs a major life task for the entire organism (e.g., pumping blood, digesting food, photosynthesis).	Performs a specific, small task necessary for the survival of the cell (e.g., generating energy, synthesizing protein, storing DNA).
Examples	Heart, Brain, Liver, Stomach, Leaf, Root.	Mitochondria, Nucleus, Ribosome, Lysosome, Chloroplast.

Question 3. 

Do you think the cells of an elephant would be larger than the cells of a rat? Explain briefly.

Ans:

Question 4. 

1. Distinguish between the following pairs of terms : Protoplasm and cytoplasm 

2. Distinguish between the following pairs of terms : Nucleolus and nucleus

3. Distinguish between the following pairs of terms : Centrosome and chromosome 

4. Distinguish between the following pairs of science : Cell wall and cell membrane 

5. Distinguish between the following pairs of terms : Plant cell and animal cell  

6 .Distinguish between the following pairs of science : Prokaryotes and eukaryotes

Ans:

1.  Protoplasm and cytoplasm 

Feature	Protoplasm	Cytoplasm
Definition	The entire living content of a cell.	The living content of the cell excluding the nucleus.
Components	Includes the Cytoplasm + Nucleus + all organelles.	Includes the Cytosol (fluid part) + all cell organelles (Mitochondria, Ribosomes, etc.).
Location	Encompasses the whole cell’s interior, inside the cell membrane.	Located between the cell membrane and the nuclear envelope.

2. Nucleolus and nucleus

Feature	Nucleus	Nucleolus
Structure	A large, membrane-bound organelle that contains the cell’s genetic material (DNA).	A dense, non-membrane-bound structure found inside the nucleus.
Function	Controls all cellular activities; site of DNA replication and transcription (mRNA synthesis).	Primary site for the synthesis of ribosomal RNA (rRNA) and the assembly of ribosomes.
Presence	Usually only one per cell (exceptions exist).	Can be one or more per nucleus, depending on the cell’s protein synthesis activity.

3. Centrosome and chromosome 

Feature	Centrosome	Chromosome
Structure	A non-membranous organelle made up of two cylindrical structures called centrioles (primarily in animal cells).	A complex structure consisting of a single, highly coiled DNA molecule associated with proteins (histones).
Function	Initiates and organizes the spindle fibers during cell division.	Carries the hereditary material (genes/DNA); essential for transmitting traits.
Location	Typically located near the nucleus in the cytoplasm.	Located within the nucleus (or nucleoid region in prokaryotes).

4. Cell wall and cell membrane 

Feature	Cell Wall	Cell Membrane (Plasma Membrane)
Composition	Primarily cellulose (in plants), peptidoglycan (in bacteria), or chitin (in fungi).	Made of a lipid bilayer embedded with proteins.
Permeability	Usually freely permeable (allows most substances to pass).	Differentially (Selectively) permeable (controls which substances enter and exit).
Presence	Found only in plant cells, bacteria, and fungi.	Found in all living cells (plant and animal).

5. Plant cell and animal cell  

Feature	Plant Cell	Animal Cell
Cell Wall	Present (made of cellulose).	Absent.
Vacuole	Usually a single, large central vacuole that stores water and maintains turgor.	Usually small, temporary, or numerous vacuoles (if present).
Plastids (e.g., Chloroplasts)	Present (for photosynthesis/storage).	Absent.
Centrosomes/Centrioles	Absent in higher plants.	Present.

6. Prokaryotes and eukaryotes

Feature	Prokaryotes (e.g., Bacteria)	Eukaryotes (e.g., Animals, Plants, Fungi)
Nucleus	Absent. Genetic material is located in a region called the nucleoid.	Present. Genetic material is enclosed by a nuclear membrane.
Membrane-Bound Organelles	Absent (e.g., no mitochondria, ER, or Golgi).	Present (highly compartmentalized with organelles like mitochondria, ER, and Golgi apparatus).
Complexity	Typically single-celled, simple, and much smaller.	Often multicellular, complex, and much larger.
DNA	Single, circular chromosome.	Multiple, linear chromosomes.

Question 5.

Mention three features found only in plant cells and one found only in animal cells.

Ans:

Here are three features found only in plant cells and one feature found only in animal cells:

Features Found Only in Plant Cells

1. Cell Wall: A rigid, outer protective layer composed mainly of cellulose. It provides structural support and defined shape to the cell.
2. Chloroplasts: Organelles that contain the pigment chlorophyll and are the sites of photosynthesis.
3. Large Central Vacuole: A single, large membrane-bound sac that can occupy up to 90% of the cell volume. It stores water, maintains turgor pressure, and holds nutrients and waste.

 Feature Found Only in Animal Cells

1. Centrosome/Centrioles: A region near the nucleus containing a pair of small, cylindrical structures called centrioles. They are essential for organizing microtubules and initiating cell division (mitosis/meiosis).

Question 6. 

Why are the cells generally of a small size?

Ans:

Cells are generally of a small size primarily because of the fundamental requirement for an efficient surface area-to-volume ratio. This ratio is crucial for the cell’s survival and function.

The Surface Area to Volume Ratio

As a cell grows:

1. Volume increases much faster than Surface Area (The volume increases by the cube of the radius, while the surface area increases by the square of the radius).
2. The cell membrane (the surface area) is the site where all essential exchange occurs: oxygen and nutrients must enter, and waste products (like carbon dioxide and urea) must exit.
3. The cell’s volume determines the rate at which nutrients are consumed and waste is produced.

Efficiency and Survival

To maintain life, the cell needs to process a certain amount of material relative to its internal demand.

• If a cell gets too large: The relatively small surface area of the membrane cannot transport enough nutrients into the hugely increased volume, nor can it efficiently remove all the accumulating waste.
• Small Size ensures Efficiency: Keeping the cell small ensures a high surface area-to-volume ratio, allowing for rapid and sufficient exchange of materials across the membrane to meet the metabolic demands of the cell’s volume

• Long answer type

Question 1. 

What is cell theory? Who propounded it and when?

Ans:

The Foundation of Modern Biology: Cell Theory

Cell theory is a cornerstone of the biological sciences, providing a unifying principle that explains the structure and function of all living things. It isn’t the work of a single person on a single day, but rather a scientific milestone achieved through the contributions of several key figures over two centuries.

The core tenets of cell theory are threefold:

1. The Cell is the Basic Unit of Life: Every organism, from the simplest microbe to the most complex plant or animal, is composed of one or more cells. The cell is the smallest structure that can be considered alive and perform all vital functions.
2. All Living Things are Composed of Cells: Whether an entity is unicellular (a single cell) or multicellular (trillions of cells), its fundamental building blocks are cells. There is no known life form that exists without a cellular structure.
3. All Cells Arise from Pre-existing Cells: Cells do not spontaneously generate from non-living matter. Instead, new cells are produced through the division of existing cells. This principle closed the door on old ideas of spontaneous generation for complex life.

The Key Figures and Their Contributions

The development of cell theory was a collaborative process, pieced together like a puzzle by brilliant minds building on each other’s work.

1. Robert Hooke (1665): The Naming
An English scientist, Hooke was examining a thin slice of cork under a primitive microscope. He observed a grid-like structure of tiny, empty compartments that reminded him of the small rooms monks lived in, which were called “cellulae.” In 1665, he published his findings in the book Micrographia, coining the biological term “cell.” It’s crucial to note that what he actually saw were the non-living cell walls of the plant tissue, not the living contents within.

2. Antonie van Leeuwenhoek (1670s): The First Glimpse of Life
A Dutch draper with a talent for lens grinding, Leeuwenhoek was the true pioneer of microscopy. He created powerful single-lens microscopes that were far superior to others of his time. With these, he was the first person to observe and describe living, single-celled organisms, which he called “animalcules.” He documented bacteria from saliva, protozoa from pond water, and even sperm cells, revealing a previously invisible world of life.

3. Matthias Schleiden (1838) & Theodor Schwann (1839): The Formal Proposal
For nearly 200 years, cells were a curiosity, not a theory. The formal proposition began with two German scientists.

• Matthias Schleiden, a botanist, concluded after extensive study that all plant tissues are composed of cells.
• Theodor Schwann, a zoologist, came to the same conclusion after studying animal tissues. He boldly extended this idea to declare that all animals are also made of cells.

Question 2. 

Mention any three differences between a living cell and a brick in a wall.

Ans:

Here are three key distinctions:

1. Nature and Composition (Living vs. Non-Living) :
   • Cell: A cell is a living entity composed of highly complex organic molecules (proteins, nucleic acids, lipids, carbohydrates) organized into a dynamic system called protoplasm.
   • Brick: A brick is a non-living manufactured object composed of inorganic, chemically simple materials like baked clay and minerals.
2. Metabolism and Functionality :
   • Cell: Cells are sites of continuous metabolism; they can grow, respirate (liberate energy), reproduce, sense their environment, and perform specialized functions (like nerve conduction or photosynthesis).
   • Brick: A brick is inert; it has no metabolic function, cannot grow, respire, reproduce, or respond to stimuli. Its only function is static structural support.
3. Organization and Repair :
   • Cell: A cell is highly organized with specialized, membrane-bound structures (organelles) that work together. Cells have the ability to self-repair and maintain their structure by synthesizing new materials.
   • Brick: A brick has a simple, fixed structure and lacks internal organization for life processes. If damaged, it cannot repair itself; it must be replaced by an external agent.

Question 3. 

Name the plastid and pigment likely to be found in the cells of :

Ans:

1. Petal of Sunflower

• Plastid: Chromoplast
• Pigment: Carotenoids (Specifically, xanthophylls which are yellow pigments).

2. Ripe Tomato

• Plastid: Chromoplast
• Pigment: Carotenoids (Specifically, lycopene which is a red pigment).

3. Root of the Plant

• Plastid: Leucoplast (Often specifically amyloplast for starch storage).
• Pigment: Typically no photosynthetic pigments are present, as roots are non-photosynthetic and are used for storage.

4. Leaf of Plant

• Plastid: Chloroplast
• Pigment: Chlorophyll (primarily chlorophyll-a and chlorophyll-b), along with accessory carotenoids.

Question 4. 

1. State the major function of the following : Plasma membrane 

2. State the major function of the following : Ribosome 

3. State the major function of the following : Lysosomes 

4. State the major function of the following : Mitochondria: 

5. State the major function of the following : Golgi apparatus 

6. State the major function of the following : Cytoplasm: 

7. State the major function of the following : Asters of centrosome: 

8. State the major function of the following : Chromosomes: 

9. State the major function of the following : Glycogen granule

Ans:

Here are the major functions of the specified cell components:

1. Plasma membrane (Cell Membrane):
   • The major function is to regulate the transport of materials (nutrients, waste, ions) entering and exiting the cell. It is differentially permeable (selectively permeable) and helps maintain the cell’s internal environment.
2. Ribosome:
   • The primary function is protein synthesis (Translation). Ribosomes read the genetic code carried by messenger RNA (mRNA) and link together amino acids to form polypeptide chains (proteins).
3. Lysosomes:
   • The major function is intracellular digestion. They contain powerful hydrolytic enzymes that break down waste materials, cellular debris, foreign particles (like bacteria), and obsolete organelles (a process called autophagy). 
4. Mitochondria:
   • The major function is cellular respiration, specifically the production of metabolic energy in the form of ATP (adenosine triphosphate) through oxidative phosphorylation. They are the cell’s “powerhouses.”
5. Golgi apparatus (Golgi Complex):
   • The major function is processing, modifying, sorting, and packaging proteins and lipids synthesized in the endoplasmic reticulum for secretion (export) or for delivery to other destinations within the cell (like lysosomes or the plasma membrane).
6. Cytoplasm:
   • The major function is to hold all the cell organelles in place and act as the site for many fundamental metabolic reactions, such as glycolysis. The fluid part (cytosol) provides a medium for chemical reactions and transport.
7. Asters of centrosome:
   • The major function (in animal cells during cell division) is to anchor the spindle apparatus and aid in spindle positioning. They help hold the two centrioles at opposite poles of the cell during mitosis.
8. Chromosomes:
   • The major function is to carry the genetic information (genes) in the form of DNA from one cell generation to the next, ensuring accurate replication and transmission of hereditary characteristics.
9. Glycogen granule:
   • The major function is energy storage. Glycogen is the principal storage form of glucose in animal and fungal cells (especially in the liver and muscle) and forms granules that can be quickly mobilized to provide glucose (energy) when needed.

Question 5.

List any six features found both in plant and animal cells.

Ans:

While all the listed components are correctly identified as shared features of eukaryotic cells (plant and animal), here is a revised, unique presentation emphasizing six essential commonalities:

 Shared Features of Plant and Animal Cells

Both plant and animal cells are eukaryotic, meaning they possess these fundamental, membrane-bound structures that enable complex life processes:

• Plasma Membrane: This selectively permeable outer layer governs the passage of materials, ensuring only specific substances can move into and out of the cellular environment.
• Cytosol (or Cytoplasm): The gel-like matrix filling the interior of the cell, providing the medium for metabolic reactions and suspending the various organelles.
• Nucleus: The cell’s control center, housing the majority of the genetic material (DNA in the form of chromosomes) and directing gene expression and cell reproduction.
• Mitochondria: The vital sites for aerobic respiration, where energy is efficiently extracted from organic molecules and stored as adenosine triphosphate (ATP).
• Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER): An extensive system of interconnected tubules and sacs that serves as a manufacturing and transport network, critical for synthesizing and packaging lipids and proteins.
• Ribosomes: Tiny, non-membrane-bound structures that function as the cell’s protein factories, translating genetic instructions into functional polypeptides.

• Structured/Application/Skill type

Given below are the sketches of two types of cells A and B.

(a) Which one of these is a plant cell? Give reasons in support of your answer.

(b) List the cell structures which are common to both types.

(c) Name the structures found only in plant cells and those found only in animal cells.

Ans:

Analysis of Cells A and B

(a) Identifying the Plant Cell

Cell B is definitively the plant cell.

This classification is based on two primary, observable features:

1. Fixed Boundary: Cell B possesses a distinct, non-flexible outer casing—the cell wall—which gives it a regular, geometric structure. Cell A lacks this rigid boundary.
2. Central Reservoir: Cell B contains a single, prominent space, the large central vacuole. This structure monopolizes much of the cell’s volume, storing water and essential sap.

(b) Shared Cellular Components

Both Cell A (Animal Cell) and Cell B (Plant Cell) are eukaryotic and share these essential components of life:

• Nucleus: The control center, housing the genetic blueprint (DNA).
• Cell Membrane (Plasma Membrane): The living, outer layer responsible for regulating substance passage.
• Cytoplasm: The internal matrix that suspends all specialized structures.
• Energy Organelles: Both rely on Mitochondria for energy production.

(c) Unique Structures

The presence or absence of specific organelles differentiates the two types:

Exclusive to Plant Cells (B)	Exclusive to Animal Cells (A)
Cell Wall: Provides structural strength and fixed shape.	Centrioles/Centrosome: Organizes the microtubules during cell division (spindle formation).
Plastids (e.g., Chloroplasts): Responsible for food manufacturing (photosynthesis).
Large Central Vacuole: Essential for maintaining water balance and turgor pressure.