cell wall

[ sel wawl ]

noun

, Biology.

1. the definite boundary or wall that is part of the outer structure of certain cells, as a plant cell.

cell wall

noun

1. 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

1. 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, determines tissue texture, and often is crucial to cell function.
2. Compare cell membrane

cell wall

1. The rigid outer covering of a typical plant cell , composed mainly of cellulose and lying outside the cell membrane . Animal cells do not have cell walls.

Notes

It is the cell walls that give plant stems and wood their stiffness.

Word History and Origins

Origin of cell wall¹

First recorded in 1840–50

Example Sentences

The death EVs can easily penetrate the biofilm because they are natural products secreted by the bacteria, and they have the same cell wall structure, so the cells don't recognize them as a foreign enemy.

From Science Daily

Azad was so disturbed by the ordeal that she hit her head against the cell wall, and is still traumatised.

From BBC

The researchers attribute this effectiveness to the compound's targeting of the physical and functional integrity of the bacteria's cell wall.

From Science Daily

And while scientists have found ways to degrade plants to the extent needed to produce a range of products, certain polymers such as lignin, which is a primary ingredient in the cell wall of plants, remain incredibly difficult to affordably break down without adding pollutants back into the environment.

From Science Daily

In doing so, they have created something truly novel: a large "reference catalogue" of plant cell wall compositions from 287 species, broadly representing the entire plant kingdom.

From Science Daily