• What is a chloroplast? Explain how a root of a plant, that lacks Chloroplasts, gets energy. What organelles are involved with converting the energy for the roots?
• Explain why animal cells do not require a cell wall and a central vacuole. Please read Unit 2, Lesson 3, Page 9 to answer this question correctly.
A chloroplast is an organelle found in plant cells that is responsible for photosynthesis. It contains green pigments called chlorophyll, which capture light energy and convert it into chemical energy in the form of glucose. This process enables plants to produce their own food.
The root of a plant lacks chloroplasts and therefore cannot carry out photosynthesis to obtain energy. Instead, roots rely on other organelles and processes to obtain energy. They have mitochondria, which are responsible for cellular respiration. Mitochondria convert energy stored in glucose (obtained through processes like photosynthesis in the leaves) into a usable form of energy called ATP (adenosine triphosphate). The ATP molecules are then used by the root cells to carry out various cellular functions and processes.
Animal cells do not require a cell wall and a central vacuole because of their specific needs and functions. Unlike plant cells, animal cells do not require the rigidity and support provided by a cell wall, as they have a more flexible and dynamic structure that allows them to move and change shape. Animal cells also do not carry out photosynthesis, so they do not require a central vacuole to store water and nutrients like plant cells do.
Instead, animal cells have extracellular matrices and connective tissues that provide the necessary support and structure. Animal cells rely on a variety of organelles and structures, such as cytoskeleton, to maintain their shape and perform their functions. Additionally, animal cells get their nutrients directly from their environment, rather than producing their own through photosynthesis like plants.