did cells loose their cell wall due to evolution or did they never have a cell wall to begin with? pls explain
https://www.quora.com/Why-did-animal-cells-lose-the-cell-wall-feature-or-is-it-that-an-animal-cell-like-entity-previously-existed-and-evolved-into-cells-with-cell-walls-which-are-now-plant-cells
I appreciate your response. According to what is said on the link provided, would you consider that eukaryotic cells got rid of their cell wall to benefit as a heterotroph?
The presence or absence of a cell wall in cells depends on the specific type of organism. Different organisms have evolved different strategies to maintain their cellular structure and function.
In general, prokaryotes, such as bacteria, have a cell wall as part of their cellular structure. The cell wall provides rigidity and protection to the cell. On the other hand, eukaryotic cells, which make up higher organisms like plants, animals, and fungi, can have cell walls or not, depending on the specific cell type.
Eukaryotic cells, such as animal cells, do not have a cell wall. Instead, they have a flexible structure called the cell membrane, which surrounds the cell and regulates the movement of substances in and out of the cell.
Plant cells, however, do have a cell wall. The plant cell wall is composed primarily of cellulose, a complex carbohydrate that provides structural support and acts as a protective barrier. The cell wall gives plant cells their characteristic shape and allows them to withstand osmotic pressure.
The presence or absence of a cell wall is a result of evolutionary adaptations. It is believed that the common ancestor of all cells had a cell wall, and through evolutionary processes, certain lineages of organisms lost or modified it. The loss or modification of a cell wall can occur due to changes in selective pressures, environmental conditions, or the benefits derived from other cellular structures.
So, to summarize, prokaryotes (like bacteria) do have a cell wall, while eukaryotes (like animal cells) may or may not have a cell wall, depending on the specific cell type and evolutionary adaptations.