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Cellular Basics

Plant Cell Basics

What cell structures are unique to plant cells?

The chloroplast, central vacuole, tonoplast, cell wall, and plasmodesmata are only found in plant cells. The central vacuole can encompass 80 percent or more of the cell. It is usually the largest compartment in a mature plant cell. It is surrounded by the tonoplast, with functions that include storage, waste disposal, protection, and growth. Plasmodesmata are present in plant cells; they are channels or canals that occur in the cell wall, connecting the cytoplasm of adjacent cells—thus allowing molecules direct communication through those adjacent cells.