Please describe the structure of a plant cell, and illustrate two ways it can communicate with its neighbors.

Plant cells are eukaryotic cells, which mean they organize their genetic material in a nucleus. Plant cells contain different types of organelles that carry out different functions, including mitochondria, the endoplasmic reticulum, and plastids. Plastids are specific to plants and depending on the organ of the plant can develop in different types. These include chloroplasts in photosynthetically active tissues (e.g. leaves) and amyloplasts in starch accumulating organs (e.g. tubers). Plant cells also possess a cell wall that is composed of a complex of polymers, including cellulose, lignin, and pectins. The cell wall confers the structural rigidity and protection from external factors.Plants communicate with neighbouring cells to coordinate the development and metabolic activities of tissues. One example of communication is the transport of small proteins (peptides) through plasmodesmata. Plasmodesmata are channels formed through the connection of the cells walls of two adjacent cells. A second example includes hormones such as auxin. Auxin is transported between cells and organs via vascular system to coordinate distal processes. For instance, water deficiency in the leaves triggers a signal to the roots to expand the root system.