What is the Difference Between Cell Wall and Plasma Membrane?
🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚The cell wall and plasma membrane are both structures that protect and support cells, but they have distinct differences. Here are the main differences between them:
- Type of organisms: The plasma membrane is present in all living organisms, including plants, animals, and fungi, while the cell wall is found only in plants, fungi, bacteria, and some algae.
- Structure: The plasma membrane is composed of lipids and proteins, forming a semi-permeable membrane that is 5-10 nm thick. In contrast, the cell wall is a rigid structure made up of cellulose and pectin.
- Function: The plasma membrane's main function is to provide protection to the cell from its surroundings, control the passage of solutes and water into and out of the cell, and play a role in cell signaling and communication. The cell wall, on the other hand, provides support and maintains the shape of the cell, protects the entire protoplasm of the cell, and prevents cell lysis.
- Location: In plant cells, the plasma membrane is located inside the cell, just below the cell wall. In animal cells, the plasma membrane is the outermost layer of the cell.
- Permeability: The plasma membrane is semi-permeable, allowing the entry of selected substances and preventing the entry of others. The cell wall is rigid and completely permeable to most molecules, allowing easy movement of specific components.
- Cell movement: Plasma membranes allow animal cells to change their structures and move, whereas plant cells with cell walls usually maintain a rigid structure.
On this pageWhat is the Difference Between Cell Wall and Plasma Membrane? Comparative Table: Cell Wall vs Plasma Membrane
Comparative Table: Cell Wall vs Plasma Membrane
The cell wall and plasma membrane are both important structures in a cell, but they have different functions and compositions. Here is a table highlighting the differences between them:
| Feature | Cell Wall | Plasma Membrane |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Outermost layer of plant cells, fungal cells, and bacterial cells | Found in all types of cells, located just below the cell wall when present |
| Structure | Thick, rigid, and composed of cellulose (in plants) or chitin (in fungi) | Thin, fragile, and permeable, with a thickness of 5-10 nm |
| Visibility | Can be seen with a light microscope | Visible only with an electron microscope |
| Permeability | Non-permeable in plants and fungi, selectively permeable in bacteria | Semi-permeable, selectively allowing entry of certain substances |
| Composition | Non-living and composed of cellulose or chitin | Living, composed of lipids and proteins |
| Function | Provides support, maintains cell shape, and regulates intercellular transport | Acts as a selectively permeable barrier, controlling the entry and exit of molecules |
Both the cell wall and plasma membrane provide protection to cells, but the plasma membrane also regulates the exchange of substances in and out of the cell, while the cell wall primarily provides structural support and protection.
Read more:
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- Plant vs Animal Cells
- Protoplast vs Protoplasm
- Blood vs Plasma
- Plasma vs Interstitial Fluid
- Cytoplasm vs Protoplasm
- Basal Lamina vs Basement Membrane
- Cytoplasm vs Cytosol
- Gap Junctions vs Plasmodesmata
- Tissue vs Cell
- Plant Cell vs Bacterial Cell
- Membranous vs Nonmembranous Organelles
- Cytoplasm vs Cytoskeleton
- Cell vs Atom