nucleus · chloroplast · cytoplasm · membrane · mitochondrion
A plant cell is the basic unit of life in every plant, from tall trees to tiny flowers. At the center of the cell is the nucleus, which controls all cell functions and stores the plant's DNA. Surrounding the cell is the membrane, a thin protective layer that allows nutrients to enter and releases waste. The thick fluid inside the membrane is called the cytoplasm, and the cell's organelles are found here. Chloroplasts are organelles that capture sunlight and produce food through photosynthesis. This is how plants make their own energy from light. Another key organelle is the mitochondrion, which converts stored nutrients into energy the cell can use. Together, these structures allow plant cells to grow, reproduce, and sustain all plant life on Earth.