Lab 3 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Lab 3 - Essay Example ulum and golgi apparatus are located closer to the plasma membrane due to their functions of self-destruction, releasing toxic substances to the outside environment and collecting waste products. The foundation in the structure of the plasma membrane is the phospholipid bilayer forming a barrier between two aqueous compartments on the two sides of the cell: inside and outside. There are specific functions for proteins embedded in the interior of the phospholipid bilayer. They carry out various functions such as selective transport of molecules and cell to cell identification. Thus, the main function of the plasma membrane is to control the active and passive movement of various substances into and out of the cell. Another major difference is that plant cells have chlorophyll which is a light-absorbing pigment required for photosynthesis. Chlorophyll is responsible for giving the plants a green color  and is found in chloroplasts.  Ã‚   However, golgi apparatus, lysosomes and peroxisomes are only found in eukaryotic cells due to  the fact that there are no membranous structures within the prokaryotic cells  except the plasma membrane.    Mitochondria are known as the â€Å"power plant of the cell† because they are responsible for synthesizing most of the energy supply for the cell. This energy is in the form of adenosine triphosphate (ATP). Mitochondria are also responsible for producing cholesterol and heme and in the self-destruction mechanism of the cell. Mitochondria have circular DNA which replicates similar to bacteria by a reproductive process called fission, they can make their own proteins. Moreover, as the structure always relate to the function, the presence of double membrane, i.e. a smooth outermost membrane and an inner membrane which has many folds known as cristae. The cristae increase the surface area; thereby they enhance productivity of cellular respiration.   Plant cells are known to be rigid structures with a defined shape which is due to the