CELL WALLS Meaning and
Definition
-
Cell walls are rigid structures found in plants, fungi, and certain bacteria that surround the cell membrane and provide structural support and protection to the cell. They are composed of complex carbohydrates, proteins, and inorganic substances, such as cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin, and pectin.
In plants, cell walls are an essential component of the plant's structure, forming a protective layer around each individual cell. They also play a crucial role in determining the shape and size of plant cells. The primary component of plant cell walls is cellulose, which is composed of long chains of glucose molecules that are interconnected and provide strength and rigidity.
Fungal cell walls, on the other hand, contain different compounds such as chitin, glucans, and glycoproteins. These components give fungal cell walls their strength and resistance to various environmental conditions.
Cell walls act as a physical barrier against mechanical stress and protect the cell from external pathogens, toxins, and chemical substances. They control the movement of water and solutes, regulate cell shape and growth, and provide stability to the overall plant or fungal structure.
Although animal cells lack a rigid cell wall, they have a flexible extracellular matrix that serves a similar purpose. Unlike cell walls, which are static structures, the extracellular matrix in animals is dynamic and constantly changing to accommodate cell movement, migration, and tissue development.
In summary, cell walls are structural components that form a protective layer around cells in plants, fungi, and some bacteria. They provide support, rigidity, and protection to the cell while also determining cell shape and playing a vital role in the overall structure and function of the organism.
Common Misspellings for CELL WALLS
- xell walls
- vell walls
- fell walls
- dell walls
- cwll walls
- csll walls
- cdll walls
- crll walls
- c4ll walls
- c3ll walls
- cekl walls
- cepl walls
- ceol walls
- celk walls
- celp walls
- celo walls
- cell qalls
- cell aalls
- cell salls
- cell ealls
Etymology of CELL WALLS
The word "cell walls" is composed of two elements: "cell" and "walls".
The term "cell" originates from the Latin word "cella", meaning "small room" or "storeroom". It was first used in biology in the mid-17th century to refer to the basic structural unit of all living organisms. The concept of cells was formalized by the English scientist Robert Hooke in 1665, who observed and described them while examining cork under a microscope.
"Walls", on the other hand, comes from the Old English word "weall", which means "a protective structure or enclosure". The term later evolved to refer to a physical boundary or barrier that encloses or separates one area from another.
Therefore, when combined, "cell walls" refers to the outer protective layer found in many cells, serving as a structural boundary that encloses and protects the cell's contents.
Infographic
Add the infographic to your website:
