Eukaryotic Cell Structure: Cell Wall

THE CELL WALL

The overall purpose of this Learning Object is to learn the chemical makeup and the functions of the cell wall in eukaryotic cells.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES FOR THIS SECTION

The Cell Wall

When present, the cell wall (see Fig. 32 and Fig. 36) is quite simple. In algae and plant cells, the cell wall is usually composed of cellulose. In molds it is composed of chitin and/or cellulose. Animal cells and protozoans lack cell walls. As with bacteria, the rigid, tightknit molecular structure of the cell wall contributes to cell shape and helps resist osmotic lysis (def).

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