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1.2: Cell wall

  • Page ID
    47195
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    The cell wall is initially deposited on the surface of the middle lamella. This primary cell wall occurs on the surface of all plant cells. It is substantially composed of cellulose molecules bundled together to form fibrils.

    The primary cell wall is the only cell wall present in some cells. In other cells a secondary cell wall is deposited inside the primary cell wall. This secondary cell wall may contain lignin. Lignin makes the cell wall rigid and stronger. A cell membrane lies immediately adjacent to the cell wall, on the interior surface, and surrounds the contents of the cell.

    Diagrammatic structure of a primary cell wall (top) next to a secondary cell wall (lower left) and a primary cell wall (lower right).
    Figure 1.3. Diagrammatic structure of a primary cell wall (top) next to a secondary cell wall (lower left) and a primary cell wall (lower right). (Diagram Sean Bellairs CC: attribute, share alike).

    To allow communication between cells there are membrane lined pores, or plasmodesmata, which run through the cell walls.

    Plasmodesmata passing through the cell wall in a TEM of a Coleus blumei shoot apex.
    Figure 1.4. Plasmodesmata passing through the cell wall in a TEM of a Coleus blumei shoot apex. (Image: Louisa Howard, Charles Daghlian: public domain).
     
    Diagram of a plasmodesmata connection between two cells.
    Figure 1.5. Diagram of a plasmodesmata connection between two cells. (Created by Zlir’a; English translation and recolouring by Kelvinsong (Kelvin Ma). Public Domain.)

    This page titled 1.2: Cell wall is shared under a CC BY-SA license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by Sean Bellairs (Charles Darwin University) .

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