The Cell Wall
The Cell Wall is the most outer layer of a plant cell. It contains three contributing layers to the wall. These three layers include the Middle Lamella, the Primary Cell Wall, and on some cell walls the Secondary Cell Wall. The Middle Lamella is a layer that contains pectins. Pectins are what help with cell adhesion. In simple terms, this means that this helps all cells stick together to stay rigid. The Primary Cell Wall is the layer that acts as protection towards a cell when being attacked by viruses, it also acts as strength and stability for the entire cell. The Secondary Cell Wall only appears in some plant cells. It develops when the primary cell wall finishes its division and growth, this causes the wall to thicken which develops the Secondary Cell Wall. Another important act the Cell Wall performs is communication to other cells. It also regulates cell growth.
Why is the Cell Wall the Most Important Organelle?
- The Cell Wall's primary wall acts as a essential line of defense from viruses that attack the cell. Without this protection from the Cell Wall, the organelles inside the cell would suffer the consequences and would be completely compromised.
- It is vital for communication with other cells. If there were no forms of communication between the trillions of cells in a tree, it would not be capable of distributing the nutrients needed for it to survive. This example is parallel with hundreds of other plants.
- The Cell Wall provides strength and stability to a cell's structure mechanically. The cell wall is what gives plant cells their regular and usually hexagonal shape. It also contributes to the overall structure of the host that the cell is in. For example, the cell wall contributes to holding up a sunflower and its rigidity.
- The Cell Wall's Middle Lamella layer contains the pectins that act as the adhesive which keeps the trillions of cells in a plant sticking together. If there was no cell wall, the cells of a plant would not stick together nearly as good as cells with cell walls.
Cell Wall Campaigning Merchandise-
"Make Eukaryota Great Again Hat" - 20 ATP
"I Love It Vote 4 Cell Wall Tee" - 50 ATP
References
Cooper, G. M. (1970, January 01). The Origin and Evolution of Cells. Retrieved September 20,
2018, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK9841/
Vaibhav, S., Lauren, M. S., & Vincent, B. (2017, July). Plant Cell Walls. Retrieved September 20, 2018, from http://www.els.net/WileyCDA/ElsArticle/refId-a0001682.html
Bailey, R. (2018, August 6). Cell Wall Structure and Function. Retrieved September 20, 2018,
from https://www.thoughtco.com/cell-wall-373613
Scitable. (2014). Plant Cells, Chloroplasts, and Cells Walls. Retrieved September 22, 2018, from
https://www.nature.com/scitable/topicpage/plant-cells-chloroplasts-and-cell-walls-14053956
Yes the cell wall gives the plant cell strength and structure, and filters molecules that pass in and out of the cell, but did you know that lysosomes also contain digestive enzymes which digest excess or worn out organelles, food particles, and engulfed viruses or bacteria? Thus displaying that the lysosome acts as more of a protective layer than the cell wall. You could think of the lysosome as "border security" and the cell wall as simply the "border". Did you know in 2018 alone the CBP stopped a combined total of just over 566 000 inadmisibles and apprehensions. Also in the United States of America there are over 12 000 000 illegal immigrants which have somehow crossed the border without the proper identification or papers. This data shows that the "border security" or lysosome is much more reliable and important than the "border" or cell wall. Think about it, if countries did not have border security, could it even be a country anymore. (Terrorists are usually stopped at the border by border security)
ReplyDeleteI agree with you that the cell wall is important as it helps prevent disease from entering into the cell and its organelles. If disease spread throughout the cell and its organelles, it would screw up the whole cell and the functions that the different organelles and nucleus have to preform would be all messed up and cause many issues. The cell wall even provides structure for the cell and it's organelles. It keeps all of the parts of the cell, including the nucleus in place so they can preform their tasks and not be impacted or effected by disease or sickness' that may enter the cell.
ReplyDeleteYes the cell wall does produce structural support and strength for the cell but this organelle is immobile and it does not allow nutrients to be transported in and out of the cell.
ReplyDelete