Function of the cell wall
In biology, the cell wall is of particular importance for the cells of plants and bacteria, as it occurs there and thus fulfills special functions. But what are the special features of these cell components?
The structure of a cell wall
- A cell wall is fundamentally different from a cell membrane, which not only affects the cell wall Functionsbut also has the structure.
- Cell walls consist of either cellulose, chitin or murein. This depends on whether it is a cell of a plant, that of a fungus or that of a bacterium.
- Cell walls go completely around the respective components of a cell and consist of a total of 4 layers in plants: the middle lamella as well as the primary, secondary and tertiary wall.
- There is also another difference here, which becomes clear with regard to the cell walls of bacteria.
- So there are no different layers here, but only individual levels of murein, a sugar-protein compound, within these levels different acids and proteins are stored.
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The function of the cell walls
- The basic function of a cell wall is not to protect it from external influences. This is sufficiently done by a cell membrane, as can be seen, for example, in animal cells.
- Instead, the cell walls of plant cells, for example, ensure the stability of the cell and prevent it from bursting, which is threatened by greater water absorption.
- This stability naturally also leads to a solid shape. Without this, a plant, for example, would not be able to "stand", which means that firmness is created.
- However, the water balance and internal pressure, the so-called turgor pressure, also play a role. osmotic pressure, a role. A plant always tries to balance the internal pressure.
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