What is the function of the cell wall

What is the function of the cell wall

The cell wall is a strong layer outside the cell membrane. It provides the cell structure and support. It is fairly porous, allowing chemical materials, such as nutrients and proteins, to pass through. It permits the organism to build and hold its shape. Although they are found in plant cells, bacteria, fungi and algae, they are not found in animal cells.

A major function of the cell wall is to act as a pressure vessel, preventing overexpansion when water enters the cell. Remember a cell wall is only present in a plant cell and not an animal cellThere are different types of cell wall for plants, bacteria and fungi, which one do you mean? I assume that you are asking about the plant cell wall.

Firstly, let us know what a cell wall is.

A cell wall is a tough, usually flexible but sometimes fairly rigid layer that surrounds some types of cells. It is located outside the cell membrane and provides these cells with structural support and protection, and also acts as a filtering mechanism. A major function of the cell wall is to act as a pressure vessel, preventing overexpansion when water enters the cell. They are found in plants, bacteria, fungi, algae, and some archaea a type of organism that is in between prokaryotes bacteria and eukaryotes plants and animals. Animals and protozoa do not have cell walls.

The materials in a cell wall vary between species, and in plants and fungi also differ between cell types and developmental stages. In plants, the strongest component of the complex cell wall is a carbohydrate called cellulose, which is a polymer of glucose. In bacteria, peptidoglycan forms the cell wall. Archaean cell walls have various compositions, and may be formed of glycoprotein Slayers, pseudopeptidoglycan, or polysaccharides. Often, other accessory molecules are found anchored to the cell wall.

Secondly, lets look at the different types of cell walls.

The Plant Cell Wall

The function of the plant cell wall:

1. Maintains cell shape.

2. Prevents the rupture of the cell when excess water enters the cell by osmosis.

3. Filters out large molecules but allows smaller proteins and nutrientsIts a rigid layer surrounding the plasma membrane of plant cells. It protects the cell and gives it a definite shape. The cell wall is located outside the cell membrane and provides cells with structural support and protection. It also acts as a pressure vessel, preventing overexpansion when water enters the cell. It covers the cell membrane.