Cell Wall Functions and Characteristics

Cell Walls

• The primary function of a cell wall is to provide structural support, protection, and maintain the cell's shape.

Organisms with Cell Walls

• Cell walls are commonly found in bacteria, archaea, fungi, plants, and some protists.

Plant Cell Walls

• The primary component of the primary cell wall in land plants is cellulose.

Bacterial Cell Walls

• The main component of bacterial cell walls is peptidoglycan (also known as murein).

Diatom Cell Walls

• The unique component of diatoms' cell walls is frustules, which are made of silica (silicon dioxide).

Organelles

Lysosomes

• Lysosomes are responsible for maintaining the shape and structure of the cell as well as storing waste products.

Golgi Apparatus

• The Golgi apparatus is a series of multiple compartments where molecules are packaged for delivery to other cell components or for secretion from the cell.

Endoplasmic Reticulum

• The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is a synthesis and transport organelle that branches into the cytoplasm in plant and animal cells.

Endomembrane System

• The structure that does not belong to the endomembrane system in eukaryotic cells is lysosomes.

Vesicles

• A vesicle is a relatively small, membrane-enclosed sac that stores or transports substances.