Summary
A rigid outer layer outside the plasma membrane in plants, fungi and bacteria that gives shape and protection.
In depth
Plant walls are made of cellulose microfibrils embedded in hemicellulose and pectin, with lignin in woody tissues. A primary wall is flexible while a secondary wall is thick and rigid. Fungal walls contain chitin, and bacterial walls contain peptidoglycan.
The wall resists the turgor pressure created when water enters by osmosis, which stops the cell bursting and keeps plants upright. Plasmodesmata are channels through the wall linking neighbouring plant cells.
Common mistake: the wall is fully permeable to water and small solutes; it is the plasma membrane beneath that is selective.
Frequently asked questions
What is Cell Wall?
A rigid outer layer outside the plasma membrane in plants, fungi and bacteria that gives shape and protection.
Which area of biology covers Cell Wall, and how advanced is it?
Cell Wall is one of the 52 topics in Cell Biology. It is rated Beginner, so it suits learners who are starting out in biology. Related topics in this area include Plasma Membrane, Osmosis, Eukaryotic Cell.
What should I learn before Cell Wall?
Cell Wall is a Beginner topic, so no earlier topic is required. Other Beginner topics in Cell Biology that pair well with it include Cell Theory, Prokaryotic Cell, Eukaryotic Cell.
What topics are related to Cell Wall?
The closest topics to Cell Wall are Plasma Membrane, Osmosis, Eukaryotic Cell, Cell Junctions. Comparing them side by side is a good way to see how the ideas connect.
How can I check that I understand Cell Wall?
Read the summary and the in-depth section, then use the quick check on the interactive lesson for Cell Wall. To practise the whole of Cell Biology, use the Cell Biology quiz.
How is Cell Wall different from Plasma Membrane?
Cell Wall: A rigid outer layer outside the plasma membrane in plants, fungi and bacteria that gives shape and protection. Plasma Membrane: The thin, selectively permeable phospholipid boundary that separates the inside of a cell from its surroundings. Read both side by side and note what each one explains.
What is a common mistake about Cell Wall?
The wall is fully permeable to water and small solutes; it is the plasma membrane beneath that is selective.
How should I study Cell Wall step by step?
First, read the summary and write the definition in your own words. Second, read the in-depth section and note any example. Third, compare it with Plasma Membrane and explain the difference aloud. Finally, take the Cell Biology quiz and come back to this page for any question you miss.