A cell is the structural and functional working unit of life and also been described as building blocks and fundamental unit of an organism. The term cell was coined by an English scientist Robert Hooke in the year 1665. The shape and size of the cells vary according to their functions and compositions. There are different types of cells and can be differentiated based on the presence and absence of few cell organelles. Show
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The cell wall is present only in plants, fungi and bacteria. The image above represents a plant cell wall The cell wall is the outermost covering of plant cells. The cell wall is present only in plants and in some fungi, bacteria and algae. It is present outside the cell membrane and is tough, flexible and sometimes rigid in its texture. It is mainly composed of cellulose, long fibres of carbohydrates including hemicellulose, lignin and pectin. The main functions of the cell wall are:
Explore More: Plant cell Cell Membrane – DiagramCell Membrane is present in all organisms including plants The cell membrane is also known as the plasma membrane. It is the outermost covering of animal cells. It is a semi-permeable membrane composed of lipids and proteins. The plasma membrane forms the boundary between the outer environment and living systems. The plasma membrane controls both the entry and exit of both solute and solvent between the cell and the environment. With regards to permeability characteristics, a plasma membrane can be semi-permeable, impermeable, permeable and selectively permeable in nature. The main functions of the plasma membrane or cell membrane include:
Also Read: Animal Cell Difference between Cell Wall and Cell MembraneOne of the fundamental differences between the plasma membrane and the cell wall is in the type of organisms that they are found. The cell wall is present only in plants and the cell membrane is present in every living organism including plants.
Also Read: Difference Between Plant cell and Animal cell ConclusionThe cell wall and cell membrane are two organelles that are an important part of living organisms. However, the former is found only in plants, fungi and in some bacteria. Traditionally, a cell well is defined as the layer of polysaccharides that exists outside the plasma membrane. It is rigid and serves structural and supportive functions. On the other hand, the cell wall in fungi is made from another material called chitin, which is also found in the exoskeletons of arthropods. The cell membrane is present in all living organisms, including plants. It is the outermost layer of the cell in animals and encloses other cellular organelles within. Unlike the cell wall, the cell membrane is flexible and its shape can be changed as needed. Also, it is metabolically active and has selective permeability. Important Questions for Cell Wall and Cell Membrane1. What is the main function of the cell wall? The cell wall is the outermost layer in a plant cell. It provides structural support and rigidity for the plant body. 2. What is the function of the cell membrane? Unlike the cell wall, the cell membrane is present in all living organisms, including plants. The main role of the cell membrane is to provide protection to the cell from its surroundings. The cell membrane or plasma membrane controls the passage of some solutes and water into and out of the cell. 3. Are cell walls and cell membranes the same thing? Cell walls are distinctly different from cell membranes. For instance, the cell wall is present only in plants, fungi and some bacteria. The cell membrane, on the other hand, is present in all living organisms including plants. 4. What is the role of the plasma membrane? The cell membrane is also called the plasma membrane. It provides protection for the cell and its cellular components from the external environment. It is selectively permeable and regulates the movement of molecules in and out of the cell. 5. What is the primary component of the cell wall? The primary component of the cell wall varies with different organisms. In the plant cells, cellulose is the primary component of the cell wall, in bacteria the primary component of the cell wall is peptidoglycan and in fungi the primary component of the cell wall is chitin. Explore more information about the cell wall and cell membrane or any other topic by registering at BYJU’S. Further Reading:
What is the structure of the cell membrane in an animal cell?The cell membrane, also called the plasma membrane, is found in all cells and separates the interior of the cell from the outside environment. The cell membrane consists of a lipid bilayer that is semipermeable. The cell membrane regulates the transport of materials entering and exiting the cell.
What make up the basic structure of a cell membrane?Lipids and proteins make up the majority of the cell membrane. Phospholipids are large lipids that form a bilayer with hydrophobic saturated hydrocarbon tails on the inside and polar heads on the outside. It is made up of both integral and peripheral proteins.
What are the 4 structures of the cell membrane?The fluid mosaic model describes the plasma membrane structure as a mosaic of components—including phospholipids, cholesterol, proteins, and carbohydrates—that gives the membrane a fluid character.
What are the 3 main molecules of the cell membrane structure?There are three major classes of membrane lipid molecules—phospholipids, cholesterol, and glycolipids.
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