Cell Wall MDCAT 2024 Prep, here you can study with us the key points of cell wall and clear your concepts about cell wall. So next time you solve an mcqs about cell wall you will know the answer.
What is Cell Wall?
The cell wall is a rigid, non-living outer layer present in plant cells, fungi, bacteria, and some archaea. It provides structural support, protection, and shape to the cell, and also plays a role in cell-to-cell interactions and selective permeability.
Cell wall is made up of?
The composition of the cell wall varies depending on the organism. Here’s a breakdown of the main components:
1)Cell wall composition of Plants:
- Cellulose: The primary component, providing rigidity and strength.
- Hemicellulose: Offers flexibility to the cell wall.
- Pectin: Helps bind cells together.
- Lignin: Found in woody tissues for added support.
2) Cell wall composition of Fungi:
Chitin: A polysaccharide similar to cellulose, also found in the exoskeletons of insects and crustaceans.
3) Cell wall composition of Bacteria:
Peptidoglycan: A unique polymer consisting of sugars and amino acids, providing strength and rigidity to the bacterial cell.
Cell wall of prokaryotes is made up of?
The cell wall of prokaryotes, which includes bacteria and archaea, is primarily made up of peptidoglycan.
Cell wall of Bacteria is made up of?
The cell wall of bacteria is primarily made up of peptidoglycan, a unique polymer consisting of sugars and amino acids. This rigid layer provides bacteria with shape, protects them from bursting due to internal pressure, and helps them resist various environmental stresses.
Now you can be asked about cell wall of Prokaryote, Bacteria or Archea as all of them are prokaryotes so you know their cell wall is made of Peptidoglycan.
MDCAT Important Points: Cell Wall Function:
Here are the key points to remember for MDCAT:
1. Provides Structural Support and Shape:
- The cell wall acts like a skeleton, maintaining the cell’s shape and preventing it from bursting due to internal pressure. This is particularly important for plant cells that lack an internal skeleton like animal cells.
2. Protection:
The cell wall safeguards the cell from:
- Mechanical damage: Physical impact like pushing, pulling, or tearing.
- Osmotic lysis: Bursting due to water influx caused by a concentration difference between the cell and its surroundings.
- Pathogens: Harmful microorganisms like bacteria, viruses, and fungi.
3. Cell-to-Cell Interactions and Selective Permeability:
- The cell wall facilitates communication between cells, enabling them to adhere and form tissues and organs.
- It also regulates the movement of molecules into and out of the cell, acting as a selective barrier.
4. Compositional Variation:
The cell wall’s makeup differs across organisms:
- Plants: Primarily cellulose (strength and rigidity), hemicellulose (flexibility), pectin (cell binding), and lignin (added support in woody tissues).
- Fungi: Composed of chitin, similar to cellulose but also found in insect exoskeletons.
- Bacteria: Made of peptidoglycan, a unique sugar-amino acid polymer.
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