Drawing the basic outline

Start with a rectangle with slightly rounded corners for the cell wall. Inside, draw a line close to the cell wall for the cell membrane. The two lines should be clearly separate: many students lose marks because the membrane and wall look like a single line.

Draw a large oval in the centre for the large central vacuole filled with cell sap. The nucleus sits to one side, often pressed against the cell membrane by the vacuole. Fill the remaining space with cytoplasm.

Adding the organelles

Draw several oval shapes with internal lines (cristae) for chloroplasts: these are the site of photosynthesis and contain chlorophyll. Scatter small bean shapes for mitochondria. Tiny dots represent ribosomes.

Chloroplasts should be larger than mitochondria and are usually shown in the cytoplasm around the edge of the cell. Do not draw them inside the vacuole or the nucleus.

Functions of the unique plant cell structures

The cell wall is made of cellulose and provides structural support. It is fully permeable, unlike the cell membrane. The large central vacuole contains cell sap, a dilute solution of sugars and salts. It maintains turgor pressure, which keeps the cell firm. Chloroplasts absorb light energy for photosynthesis; they contain the green pigment chlorophyll.

Common exam comparisons

Examiners regularly ask: "State three structures found in a plant cell but not in an animal cell." The answer is the cell wall, chloroplasts and a large permanent vacuole. Do not write "vacuole" alone: animal cells have small temporary vacuoles, so you must specify "large permanent vacuole" or "large central vacuole" to earn the mark.