Wall but no chloroplast

The idea

Fungal cells have a cell membrane and also a cell wall, but no chloroplasts, so fungi cannot make their own food by photosynthesis.

Like a plant cell, but not quite

A plant cell has a cell membrane, a cell wall and green chloroplasts. A fungal cell is a bit like it. But what is different?

Which is true for a fungal cell?

• It has a cell wall but no chloroplasts
• It has chloroplasts but no cell wall
• It has no cell membrane

Compare the two cells

Read each clue and tap the part.

No chloroplasts, no photosynthesis

Fungal cells have a cell membrane and also a cell wall, but no chloroplasts. So fungi cannot make their own food by photosynthesis.

• Part | Plant cell | Fungal cell
• Cell membrane | Yes | Yes
• Cell wall | Yes | Yes
• Chloroplasts | Yes | No
• Makes own food by photosynthesis | Yes | No

Notes

Fungal cells have a cell membrane and a cell wall, but no chloroplasts, so fungi cannot make their own food by photosynthesis.

Check yourself

Which parts does a fungal cell have?

Why can fungi not make their own food by photosynthesis?

Which cell has chloroplasts?

• A cell membrane and a cell wall — correct. Yes. It has both, but no chloroplasts.
• A cell membrane only. Fungal cells have a cell wall as well.
• A cell membrane, a cell wall and chloroplasts. Fungal cells do not have chloroplasts.
• Their cells have no chloroplasts — correct. Yes. Chloroplasts are needed for photosynthesis.
• Their cells have no cell wall. Fungal cells do have a cell wall.
• Their cells have no cell membrane. Fungal cells do have a cell membrane.
• A plant cell — correct. Yes. Plant cells have chloroplasts, so plants can make their own food.
• A mould cell. A mould is a fungus. Fungal cells have no chloroplasts.
• A yeast cell. Yeast is a fungus. Fungal cells have no chloroplasts.