How are leaf cells and root cells different? (1 point)
Responses
Leaf cells can absorb nutrients from the air, but root cells require soil to absorb nutrients.
Leaf cells can absorb nutrients from the air, but root cells require soil to absorb nutrients.
Leaf cells have nuclei, but root cells do not.
Leaf cells have nuclei, but root cells do not.
Leaf cells can reproduce, but root cells cannot.
Leaf cells can reproduce, but root cells cannot.
Leaf cells have chloroplasts, but root cells do not.
Leaf cells have chloroplasts, but root cells do not.
Leaf cells have chloroplasts, which allow them to perform photosynthesis and convert sunlight into energy. Root cells do not have chloroplasts as they are responsible for anchoring the plant in the soil and absorbing water and nutrients from the soil.
To determine how leaf cells and root cells are different, we need to examine their specific characteristics.
1. Leaf cells can absorb nutrients from the air, but root cells require soil to absorb nutrients.
To understand this, we can observe that leaves have specialized structures called stomata, which are small openings on the surface of the leaf. These stomata allow for the exchange of gases, such as carbon dioxide and oxygen, between the leaf and the surrounding atmosphere. Additionally, leaf cells contain chloroplasts, which are responsible for photosynthesis, the process of converting light energy into chemical energy.
On the other hand, root cells are primarily responsible for absorbing water and nutrients from the soil. They have structures such as root hairs, which increase the surface area for absorption. The root cells actively transport dissolved substances, such as minerals, into the plant through specialized transporters.
2. Leaf cells have nuclei, but root cells do not.
Both leaf cells and root cells are eukaryotic cells, meaning they have a nucleus. The nucleus contains the genetic material of the cell, including DNA. Therefore, both leaf cells and root cells have nuclei.
3. Leaf cells can reproduce, but root cells cannot.
Both leaf cells and root cells are capable of cellular reproduction through a process called mitosis. This allows cells to divide and create new cells with identical genetic material. Therefore, both leaf cells and root cells are capable of reproducing.
4. Leaf cells have chloroplasts, but root cells do not.
Chloroplasts are organelles found in plant cells that are responsible for photosynthesis. Leaf cells contain a large number of chloroplasts, which enable them to absorb sunlight and convert it into energy-rich molecules. In contrast, root cells do not have chloroplasts since they are primarily involved in absorption and transport of water and nutrients.
In summary, leaf cells and root cells have different functions and adaptations according to their specific roles within the plant. Leaf cells are specialized to absorb nutrients from the air through stomata and perform photosynthesis, while root cells are adapted to absorb water and nutrients from the soil. Both cells have nuclei and are capable of reproducing, but only leaf cells contain chloroplasts.