Storage of Nutrients in Plant Cells

Question 1

What are primary active compounds?

Answer 1

• compounds possessed by every plant
• Vitamins, Enzymes, Phytohormones

Question 2

What are secondary metabolic compounds?

Answer 2

• compounds not possessed by every plant
• glucosides, alkanoids, saponins, tannins

Question 3

Where are fats, carbohydrates and proteins stored?

Answer 3

in storage nutrients (leukoplasts and cytoplasm)

Question 4

What are the storage nutrients?

Answer 4

fats, carbohydrates and proteins

Question 5

Where are fats stored/accumulated in the seed tissue?

Answer 5

• endosperm
• embryo (cotyledon)

Question 6

What is the major site of lipid accumulation in oilseeds?

Answer 6

the cotyledon of the embryo

Question 7

What is another place, apart from the cotyledon, where lipid accumulation can occur?

Answer 7

in the endosperm

Question 8

What are the two main groups of vegetal oils?

Answer 8

• pulp oil (palm, olive, avocado)
• seed oil (other sources)

Question 9

Does the amount of lipid in plants vary?

Answer 9

yes, the amount of lipid in plants varies between plants.
low- 0.1% (potatoes)
high- 70% (pecan nuts)

Question 10

How are carbohydrates stored in plants?

Answer 10

leukoplasts

Question 11

What is the main carbohydrate produced in plants?

Answer 11

starch

Question 12

State examples of starchy foods.

Answer 12

bread, cereal, pasta, rice, potatoes, beans, chestnuts.

Question 13

Define starch in relation to plants.

Answer 13

Starch is the main form in which plants store carbon.

Question 14

How does starch exist? What is it composed of?

Answer 14

• semicrystalline granules
• branched and linear polymers of glucose

Question 15

Does starch vary in size? Why does this matter?

Answer 15

Starch granules vary in size and shape between plant organs and species. the distinctive morphology and anatomy enable the identification of plants as remains of food in forensic, food and archeological samples. .

Question 16

What is the main carbohydrate of nutritional importance in the human diet?

Answer 16

starch

Question 17

What are the uses of starch?

Answer 17

• thickening of processed foods
• manufacturing of paper
• biodegradable plastics
• adhesives

Question 18

What are the two types of semi-crystalline granules which starch exists as?

Answer 18

• amylose
• amylopectin

Question 19

What are starch granules characterised by?

Answer 19

internal growth rings

Question 20

Where is starch produced? How is it produced?

Answer 20

• produced in chloroplasts
• by the polymerization of glucose residues (products of photosynthesis)

Question 21

What is secondary (reserved) starch? Where is it stored?

Answer 21

• secondary (reserved) starch is starch which exists in the root. (it has been moved from the leaves and stems to the roots).
• it is stored within LEUKOPLASTS.

Question 22

Where is secondary (reserved) starch stored?

Answer 22

in leukoplasts

Question 23

How can one classify starch grains?

Answer 23

depending on the grain formation center: SIMPLE / COMPOUND

depending on the central or peripheral placing of the formation center: CONCENTRIC / ECCENTRIC

Question 24

What is teh center dot called in starch molecules?

Answer 24

grain formation center

Question 25

What are compound starch grains?

Answer 25

Grains built from a large number of smaller grains

Question 26

What are the four types of proteins in plant cells?

Answer 26

1. Albumins 2. Globulins 3. Prolamins 4. Glutelins

Question 27

What are albumins? Where are they found? Are they soluble?

Answer 27

- soluble in water - found in seeds

Question 28

What are globulins? Where are they found? Are they soluble?

Answer 28

- insoluble in water - found in the seeds of leguminous plants

Question 29

What are prolamins and glutelins? Where are they found?

Answer 29

- found in seeds of crop (grains) - form GLUTEN

Question 30

What is the crosssection of a wheat grain?

Answer 30

1. pericarp and seed coat (testa) 2. aleurone layer (1 cell thick) 3. endosperm 4. embryo

Question 31

What is Aleurone?

Answer 31

- a protein found in protein granules of maturing seeds and tubers. - outermost layer of the endosperm - referred to as "peripheral endosperm" - its main function is to nourish the embryo enclosed in the seed

Question 32

Crossection of a wheat grain.

Answer 32

pericarp seed-coat aleurone layer endosperm cells

Question 33

State an example of a seed coat and pericarp.

Answer 33

sunflower seeds: seed coat (white part, you can eat) pericarp (black part, shell which you peel)

Question 34

What type of fatty acids to plants contain?

Answer 34

unsaturated fatty acids.