cell wall

n. The rigid outermost cell layer found in plants and certain algae, bacteria, and fungi but absent from animal cells.

cell wall

n (Biology) the outer layer of a cell, esp the structure in plant cells that consists of cellulose, lignin, etc, and gives mechanical support to the cell

cell′ wall′

n. the definite boundary or wall that is part of the outer structure of certain cells, as a plant cell. [1840–50]

cell wall

The outermost layer of cells in plants, bacteria, fungi, and many algae that gives shape to the cell and protects it from infection. In plants, the cell wall is made up mostly of cellulose. Most animal cells have a cell membrane rather than a cell wall.

cell wall

The nonliving covering around cells of plants and some bacteria.

Thesaurus

Noun

cell wall - a rigid layer of polysaccharides enclosing the membrane of plant and prokaryotic cells; maintains the shape of the cell and serves as a protective barrierlayer - a relatively thin sheetlike expanse or region lying over or under anotherplant cell - a cell that is a structural and functional unit of a plant

Translations

cell wall

wall

[wawl] a structure bounding or limiting a space or a definitive mass of material; called also paries.cell wall a rigid structure that lies just outside of and is joined to the plasma membrane of plant cells and most prokaryotic cells, which protects the cell and maintains its shape.chest wall the structures bordering the thorax that move during breathing, including the cage" >rib cage, diaphragm, and abdomen.

cell wall

1. the outer layer or membrane of some animal and plant cells; in the latter, it is mainly cellulose. 2. in bacteria, the rigid structure, usually containing a peptidoglycan layer, that provides osmotic protection and defines bacterial shape and staining properties.

cell wall

n. The rigid outermost cell layer found in plants and certain algae, bacteria, and fungi but absent from animal cells.

cell wall

(sel wawl) The outer layer or membrane of some animal and plant cells; in the latter, it is mainly cellulose.

cell wall

a thick, rigid coat formed outside the CELL MEMBRANE of plants, fungi and most bacteria. The cell wall is responsible for the shape of the organism and for protecting internal parts of the cell from damage. The plant cell wall is composed mainly of CELLULOSE secreted by the protoplasm of the cell. Structurally it consists of cellulose fibres embedded in a matrix of pectin and other polysaccharides, rather like fibreglass. Each fibre is built up from cellulose molecules which form strands called micelles. These are grouped into microfibrils, several hundred of which form a fibre. Older cells may also produce a secondary wall inside the primary wall which is thicker and contains LIGNIN for extra strength. Such cells often die after producing the secondary wall, e.g. XYLEM vessel cells.

The cell wall of BACTERIA is made of PEPTIDOGLYCAN, either alone or combined with other substances, and is used to differentiate the major types of bacteria: Gram-positive and Gram-negative (see GRAM'S STAIN). In Gram-positive bacteria, the wall generally consists of many layers of peptidoglycan, giving a very rigid structure. TEICHOIC ACIDS are also present. In Gram-negative bacteria there is a thin layer of peptidoglycan and an outer membrane. The peptidoglycan is attached to LIPOPROTEINS in the outer membrane. This membrane acts as a barrier to some ANTIBIOTICS, ENZYMES and so on; however, certain substances, such as nutrients, pass through. Part of the permeability of the membrane is due to PORINS. The ARCHAEA either lack cell walls or have unusual walls without peptidoglycan. In FUNGI a key component of most cell walls is CHITIN. The cell walls of YEASTS contain glucan and mannan. There may be additional layers, such as a CAPSULE, outside the cell wall.

cell wall

(sel wawl) 1. Outer layer or membrane of some animal and plant cells. 2. In bacteria, the rigid structure that provides osmotic protection and defines bacterial shape and staining properties.

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Words related to cell wall

noun a rigid layer of polysaccharides enclosing the membrane of plant and prokaryotic cells

Related Words