Plant cell wall

Question 1

Plant cell wall - structure

Answer 1

• contains largely of cellulose
• cellulose molecules held together in microfibrils
• set in a polysaccharide matrix called pectin

Question 2

Plant cell wall - function

Answer 2

• Transport
  - gaps between the cellulose fibres make the
  cell wall fully permeable to water
• Mechanical strength
  - the structure of cellulose microfibrils and
  their arrangement make the cell wall very
  strong
• Communication between cells
  - cells have pores through which strands of
  cytoplasm called plasmodesmata pass
  from one cell to another, allowing for
  communication