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Cell Wall | Introduction, Structure & Function

Cell Wall Definition and Function

Introduction of Plant Cell Wall: It is a rigid (thick) layer of polysaccharides that are lying outside the plasma membrane of the plant’s cells, fungi, and bacteria. In the algae and higher plants, it consists mainly of cellulose. Plant and bacterial cell membranes are enclosed by a thick Wall. It provides the cell both mechanical support, protection.

Plant Cell Wall

Cell Wall Location

It is a layer which is located outside the cell membrane found in plants, fungi, bacteria, algae, and archaea.

Cell Wall Structure

Structure of Bacterial Cell Wall

The bacterial cell is surrounded by a wall that fluctuates chemically from the plants. In Bacteria it comprises a rigid framework of polysaccharide chain cross-connected with short peptide chains. In Bacteria it is the outer surface is covered with lipopolysaccharide. In some species of bacteria extensions of the cell wall is present that is called pili. In many bacterial species, the cell wall is surrounded by an additional structure called a capsule. With capsule deliberate the figure and form of the bacterium. Capsule act as a physical barricade to the cell membrane. In its absence and capsule is mechanically brittle and the bacteria would rupture.

Cell Wall

Structure of Plant Cell Wall

It consists of thick polysaccharides comprising structure proximately surrounding the plasma membrane. In multicellular plants, the plasma membrane of neighboring cells is detached by the presence of these walls. Head-to-head plant cells have their walls fused together by a layer called the middle lamella. In plants assists both as a protective and a support unit for the plant.

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It might be involved in the regulation or exchange of materials among the plant cell and its environments but It delimited the transport of macromolecules.

Cell Wall

Types of Cell Wall

Cell Wall

Cell Wall Facts

Functions of Plant Cell wall

  1. It defends bacteria against puffiness in hypotonic media.
  2. It is absorbent and allows only small molecules to pass.
  3. It also contains pili. Pili are hollow outgrowth structures. Pili serve as a site to transfer DNA for sexual conjugation.Cell Wall
  4. It gives the cell a fixed shape and structure.
  5. It provides mechanical support.
  6. It protects the contradiction of infection and mechanical stress.
  7. It separates the interior portion of the cell from the outer environment of the cell.
  8. It enables transportation of substances and information from the cell insides to the outside and vice versa.
  9. It also provide assistances in osmotic-regulation.
  10. It prevents water loss.
  11. The biological and biochemical bustle of it assists in cell-cell communication.
  12. It prevents the cell from shattering due to turgor pressure.
  13. It aids in the diffusion of gases in and out of the cell.
  14. It also offers mechanical fortification from insects and pathogens attack.

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