The cell wall is a rigid, outer layer found outside the plasma membrane of plant cells, fungi, bacteria, and some archaea. It provides structural support, protection, and shape to the cell. It is composed of various materials depending on the organism.
Eamples of Cell Walls
- Plant Cell Wall - Composed primarily of cellulose, hemicellulose, and pectin. The cell wall in plants provides rigidity and support, helping maintain the plant’s structure and shape.
- Bacterial Cell Wall - Typically made of peptidoglycan, which is a polymer of sugars and amino acids. The bacterial cell wall offers protection and determines the shape of the bacterium. There are differences between Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial cell walls in terms of their peptidoglycan layer and outer membrane.
- Fungal Cell Wall - Comprised mainly of chitin, a strong polysaccharide. The fungal cell wall provides structural support and protection to fungi and differs from the plant cell wall in its composition and structure.
