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While cell membranes might be around every cell, cell walls made of cellulose are only found around plant cells. Cell wallsare made of specialized sugars called cellulose. Cellulose provides a protected framework for a plant cell to survive. It's like taking a water balloon and putting it in a cardboard box. The balloon is protected from the outside world. Cellulose is called a structural carbohydrate (complex sugar) because it is used in protection and support.

Cell walls also help a plant keep its shape. While they do protect the cells, cell walls and cellulose also allow plants to grow to great heights. While you have a skeleton to hold you up, a 100-foot tall redwood tree does not. It uses the strong cell walls to maintain its shape. For smaller plants, cell walls are slightly elastic. Wind can push them over and then they bounce back. Big redwoods need strength in high winds and sway very little (except at the top).

Another Hole in the WallA cell wall is not a fortress around the delicate plant cell. There are small holes in the wall that let nutrients, waste, and ions pass through. Those holes are called plasmodesmata. These holes have a problem: water can also be lost. But even when the plant cell loses water, the basic shape is maintained by the cell walls. So if a plant is drooping because it needs water, it can recover when water is added. It will look just the same as when it started.

More Than Walls in PlantsYou may hear about cell walls in other areas of Biology. Bacteria also have a structure called a cell wall. Fungi and some ptotozoa also have cell walls. They are not the same. Only plant cell walls are made out of cellulose. The other walls might be made from proteins or a substance called chitin. They all serve the same purpose of protecting and maintaining structure, but they are very different molecules.

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How are the cell membrane and vacuole the same?

The cell membrane and vacuole are both crucial components of a cell, contributing to its structure and function. They both help maintain homeostasis; the cell membrane regulates the movement of substances in and out of the cell, while the vacuole stores various materials and helps maintain turgor pressure. Additionally, both structures can play roles in communication and signaling within the cell. Ultimately, they work together to support the cell's integrity and overall health.


All parts to a cell?

A cell is composed of various parts, including the cell membrane, cytoplasm, nucleus, and organelles such as mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum, and Golgi apparatus. These structures work together to ensure the functioning and survival of the cell.


How do the endoplasmic reticulum and cell membrane work together?

The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) synthesizes proteins and lipids that are then transported to the cell membrane. The ER also helps modify and fold proteins before they are sent to their final destination on or within the cell membrane. In this way, the ER and cell membrane work together to regulate the composition and function of the cell membrane.


What are organelles that play a major role in the cell division?

The cell membrane. But if the cell is a plant cell, the cell membrane and cell wall work together to accomplish this task.


Does a root hair cell have vacuole?

Well, honey, a root hair cell typically does have a vacuole. It helps regulate the cell's turgor pressure and stores nutrients and waste products. So, yes, you can usually find a vacuole hanging out in a root hair cell.

Related Questions

How are the cell membrane and vacuole the same?

The cell membrane and vacuole are both crucial components of a cell, contributing to its structure and function. They both help maintain homeostasis; the cell membrane regulates the movement of substances in and out of the cell, while the vacuole stores various materials and helps maintain turgor pressure. Additionally, both structures can play roles in communication and signaling within the cell. Ultimately, they work together to support the cell's integrity and overall health.


What keeps the cell from passing out of the cell?

the cell membrane controls it. if it is a plant, both cell membrane and wall work together.


All parts to a cell?

A cell is composed of various parts, including the cell membrane, cytoplasm, nucleus, and organelles such as mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum, and Golgi apparatus. These structures work together to ensure the functioning and survival of the cell.


What is the relationship between vacuole and organelles?

yes there are many relationships between organelles in cells. the work together to function the cell.


How do the endoplasmic reticulum and cell membrane work together?

The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) synthesizes proteins and lipids that are then transported to the cell membrane. The ER also helps modify and fold proteins before they are sent to their final destination on or within the cell membrane. In this way, the ER and cell membrane work together to regulate the composition and function of the cell membrane.


What are organelles that play a major role in the cell division?

The cell membrane. But if the cell is a plant cell, the cell membrane and cell wall work together to accomplish this task.


What cells work together?

ribosome and vacuole


What are the parts of the protazoan cell amebas?

Amebas are little yellow things that wrap around any type of food and they live in microbiology and you cannot see them you can if you have a microscope.


How does a cell membrane work for the cell?

It protects the cell.


Does a root hair cell have vacuole?

Well, honey, a root hair cell typically does have a vacuole. It helps regulate the cell's turgor pressure and stores nutrients and waste products. So, yes, you can usually find a vacuole hanging out in a root hair cell.


How do the vacuole and the ribosomes interact with each other in a cell?

Ribosomes synthesize proteins within a cell, which are then transported to the vacuole for storage or cellular processes. The vacuole can also contain ribosomes, allowing for localized protein synthesis. Overall, the vacuole and ribosomes work together to maintain cellular function by regulating protein synthesis and storage.


What are the five parts of cell?

The five main parts of a cell are the cell membrane, nucleus, cytoplasm, mitochondria, and ribosomes. These components work together to carry out the functions necessary for the cell to survive and function properly.