Do Plant Cells Have a Cell Wall: 9 Interesting FACTS

In this article we are focusing on the topic “Do plant Cells Have a Cell Wall: 9 Interesting FACTS”, enlisting the facts and the statements supporting those plants have a cell wall.

All plants contain a cell wall which is arranged in several layers, which are composed of microfibrils of cellulose, hemicellulose, pectin, lignin and proteins which are soluble.

Cell wall provide a characteristic shape to the cell and act as a protective covering of the cell. Plant cell wall is made of three major layers; primary cell wall, middle lamella, and a secondary cell wall. A plant cell contains a cell wall, large vacuole in the center, and chloroplasts.

Plant cell wall structure

Plant cell wall is a semi permeable layer. It is located in the outer of cell membrane or plasma membrane in plants, fungi, bacteria, algae and archaea bacteria. The cell wall found in plants is very distinguishable from the animal cell. In bacteria cell wall contains polymer of amino acid and sugar known as peptidoglycan.

In fungus, the cell wall is composed of proteins, glucans and chitin. Cell wall is mainly rigid and act as a semipermeable protective layer.  

Composition of Plant cell wall

The composition of the cell wall varies in different organism, for instance, cell wall in plants is mainly composed of cellulose which is a carbohydrate. The cell wall consists of three layers divided into sections which are distinguishable as the outermost layer, middle lamella, primary cell-wall and a secondary cell-wall.

Middle lamella cis composed of pectin, primary cell wall is composed of cellulose microfibrils, secondary cell wall is composed of Lignin, hemicellulose and cellulose, it strengthens the cell

Plant cell wall Diagram

Functions of a Cell Wall

Cell wall imparts so many various functions to the cell, some of them are as follows:

• Cell wall provides the strength, support and plasticity to the cell.
• It also prevents the cell desiccation by keeping the water content intact.
• It protects the cell from pathogens and many insects by restricting their entry.
• It also prevents overexpansion of the cell which is caused by swelling of the cell due to increase in water inside the cell.

Are plant cell walls rigid?

Yes, the plant cell walls are outer layers which are semi-rigid and tough and provides the necessary support and protection to the cell. The component that makes the cell wall so tough is Cellulose, which is a carbohydrate and a glucose polymer.

Plant cell walls are known to possess the elasticity or reversible and irreversible stretching which allows the cell to grow and expand while dividing and at the same time provides the necessary support.  

Is plant cell wall permeable?

Yes, plant cell walls are permeable for most of the molecules and also restricts the entry of certain molecules, or we can say it is selectively permeable. Cell wall concentrates some molecules and ions inside the cells, such as acidic polysaccharides that provides ion-exchange properties to the cell wall.

Do all Plant cells have cell walls?

Yes, all plant cells contain a cell wall, which is not same in animal cell as they do not contain any cell wall. Cell wall in plants is of great significance, it acts as a protective shield, impart strength and rigidity to the cell.

The cell wall found in plants is formed of cellulose, pectin, lignin and hemicellulose. It provides turgidity and the strength to the cell to maintain the turgor pressure.

Why do plant cells have cell walls?

All the cells have a protective covering on their outside that performs various functions. A plant cell contains a cell wall right outside their plasma membrane which provides, strength, support and rigidity to the cell which is necessary for its function.

A cell wall maintains the actual structure of the plant cell. It is selectively permeable in nature and protects the cell from pathogens.

Why do plant cells have a cell wall made of cellulose?

Cellulose is a complex carbohydrate, a polymer of small glucose units, present in the cell walls of plants.  It provides the strength and flexibility to the cells. Cellulose absorbs the water and prevents cell desiccation.

Conclusion

To conclude the article, we can say that cell wall plays significant role in the plant cells by providing strength, and protection to the cell.

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