# A palisade mesophyll cell and a human cheek cell are both eukaryotic cells. Explain why a palisade mesophyll cell contains chloroplasts and a permanent vacuole, whilst a human cheek cell contains neither of these organelles.

> OCR GCSE Biology A: Gateway Science (J247) — B1.1 Cell structures · Explain · 4 marks

> Palisade mesophyll cells are found near the upper surface of a leaf and are specialised for photosynthesis. Human cheek cells are animal cells lining the inside of the mouth.

## Mark scheme (4 marks)

1. Chloroplasts are the site of photosynthesis / contain chlorophyll to absorb light energy for photosynthesis
2. Palisade mesophyll cells need chloroplasts because they are specialised / adapted for photosynthesis, whereas animal/cheek cells do not photosynthesise
3. The permanent vacuole stores cell sap / helps maintain the turgidity of the plant cell
4. Human cheek cells do not have a permanent vacuole because animal cells do not need to maintain turgidity / only have small temporary vacuoles used for storage and transportation

## Key terms

- [chloroplasts](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/chloroplasts)
- [permanent vacuole](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/permanent-vacuole)
- [palisade mesophyll](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/palisade-mesophyll)
- [eukaryotic cell](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/eukaryotic-cell)

## Related

- [Revision notes for OCR GCSE Biology A: Gateway Science (J247)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/learn)
- [How to answer "Explain" questions](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/tools/command-word-cheatsheet)
- [Practice this with AI marking (free)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/start)

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Source: [GradeNine](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/q/a-palisade-mesophyll-cell-and-a-7f2c0503) · Published by Druglandscape Ltd.