Cell Wall
Definition
The cell wall is a rigid layer of polysaccharides lying outside the plasma membrane of the cells of plants, fungi, and bacteria. In algae and higher plants, it consists mainly of cellulose.
Analogy
Think of the cell wall like the walls of your house. It provides structure and support to the cell just as walls provide structure and support to your house.
Related terms
Cellulose: A complex carbohydrate that forms the main constituent of the cell wall in most plants and is important in the manufacture of numerous products, such as paper, textiles, pharmaceuticals, and explosives.
Plasma Membrane: The semipermeable membrane surrounding the cytoplasm of a cell that controls what enters or leaves a cell.
Polysaccharide: A carbohydrate whose molecules consist of a number of sugar molecules bonded together; they are an important component in plant's structural building material.
"Cell Wall" appears in:
Study guides (2)
Practice Questions (1)
- Although animal cells only have a cell membrane, plants cells have both a cell membrane and a cell wall. The cell wall is composed of __.
Resources
© 2024 Fiveable Inc. All rights reserved.
AP® and SAT® are trademarks registered by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse this website.