Are Cell Wall An Organelle: 7 Facts You Should Know

In this article, we get to know about are cell wall an organelle, cell wall of plant, fungi and animal cells. And structure, composition and functions.

In many cells, including those of plants, fungi, algae, and bacteria, the cell wall serves as an exterior protective layer. Animal cells do not have cell wall. Organelles lacking a membrane Organelles of a cell that are not membrane-bound include the cell wall, ribosomes, and cytoskeleton. They can be found in both eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells.

Are cell walls organelles?

A membrane-bound structure discovered inside a cell is known as an organelle (the internal organ of a cell). Just as cells possess membranes to keep everything in, these tiny organs are encased in a double membrane of phospholipids to insulate their little compartments within the larger cells.

Example: Layers

There can be up to three stratum or layers in plant cell walls:

  • The basic/primary cell wall is often a thin, extensible layer that forms as the cell expands.
  • When a cell has reached its full size, a thick layer called the secondary cell wall is created inside the primary cell wall. Not all cell types contain it. Some cells have a secondary wall made of lignin that strengthens and waterproofs the wall, such the conducting cells in the xylem.
  • Pectin is abundant in the middle lamella. This top layer creates the connection and interaction between neighbouring plant cells.
are cell wall an organelle
Molecular structure of the primary cell wall in plants from Wikipedia

Why is the cell wall not considered an organelle?

A subcellular structure known as an organelle performs one or more distinct tasks for the cell. The cell wall is the outermost, rigid, porous covering around the plant cell. It is composed of cellulose. It gives plant cells a definite shape and allows water, dissolved substances, and gases to pass through them. The cell wall has no specific specialized functions.

Ex: Because they are not membrane-bound and do not function as “active” parts of the cell, the cell wall and cytoplasm are typically not referred to be organelles.

What are the cell organelles?

Ex: Nucleus

The nucleus, a substantial organelle that houses the cell’s DNA, is referred to as the “command centre” of the cell (deoxyribonucleic acid). The genetic information contained in the DNA is used by the nucleus to regulate cellular functions like growth and metabolism.

are cell wall an organelle
Plant Cell Structure from Wikipedia

Ribosomes

The protein-producing organelles in a cell are called ribosomes. They have two subunits and can either be found anchored in the endoplasmic reticulum or moving around freely in the cell’s cytoplasm.

Endoplasmic reticulum

A membranous organelle called the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and the nucleus share a portion of the membrane. The “rough” area of the ER, where protein synthesis happens, is where ribosomes are located.

Golgi apparatus

The Golgi apparatus receives the proteins from the rough ER if they need to be modified further (or Golgi complex). The membranes of the Golgi apparatus are folded, just as those of the Endoplasmic reticulum.

Chloroplast

The stroma, a network that serves as their residence, contains stacks of internal (thylakoid) membrane vesicles. All of the chlorophyll present in chloroplasts is stored in the membrane surface of the thylakoid vesicles.

Mitochondria

The majority of eukaryotic cells include oval-shaped mitochondria, which are known as the “powerhouses” of the cell. In the mitochondria, which are the sites of cellular respiration, substances like glucose are converted into the energy molecule ATP (adenosine triphosphate).

What organelles does the cell wall work with?

Vacuoles allow plant cells to change size, whereas cell walls allow plants to have stiff structures as different as wood trunks and flexible leaves. In particular, organelles known as chloroplasts enable plants to capture solar energy in the form of molecule-rich energy.

are cell wall an organelle
Structure of a typical higher-plant chloroplast from Wikipedia

Is a plant cell wall an organelle?

Plant cells only include specific organelles, such as the chloroplast, cell wall, plastids, and a big central vacuole.

Ex: Photosynthesis Meaning: Cell Biology

Placenta Definition: Elisa Principle

Angiosperms Examples: Respiration Meaning

Haploid Meaning: Exocrine Glands

Is a fungi cell wall an organelle?

Only plants and fungi have cell walls, whereas all eukaryotic cells comprise organelles, a nucleus, and a cytoplasmic membrane. Their cells are rigid and well-structured owing to their walls. The cell wall is a distinctive feature of fungus and is mostly made of glucans, chitin, and glycoproteins.

  • Ex: Fungi that are coenocytic do not develop cell walls in between hyphal nuclei. These hyphae appear as solitary, lengthy cells with several nuclei under a microscope.
  • The cells of their hyphae, referred to as septa, are separated by cell walls in septate fungi.
  • What Are Fungal Cell Walls Made Of: The chemical composition of fungal cell walls is distinctive. One of these is the glucosamine derivative chitin. There is no such substance in plants. Chitin is exclusively present in animals, such as the exoskeletons of arthropods, in addition to fungi (insects and crustaceans).

Conclusion

In the above article, we studied about cell wall structure and characteristics of plant, fungi and animal cells. And why cell wall is not considered a cell organelle.

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