why are plant cells generally box like and rigid?
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Plant cells are generally box-like and rigid due to the presence of a stiff cell wall made up of cellulose. The cell wall provides structural support and maintains the shape of the cell.
To understand why plant cells have a cell wall and why it contributes to the box-like shape and rigidity, let's break down the explanation into a few key points:
1. Cellulose: Cellulose is a strong, rigid polysaccharide (complex sugar) found in the cell walls of plants. It consists of long chains of glucose molecules linked together. The presence of cellulose makes the cell walls tough and durable.
2. Primary cell wall: When a plant cell divides and grows, it first secretes a thin and flexible primary cell wall around itself. This primary cell wall is responsible for the initial shape of the plant cell.
3. Secondary cell wall: In certain plant cells, after the primary cell wall is formed, a secondary cell wall can be deposited inside it. The secondary cell wall is even thicker and stronger than the primary cell wall, providing additional support and rigidity.
4. Box-like shape: The stiffness of the cell wall restricts the expansion of plant cells in all directions. As the cell contents grow, the cell wall prevents excessive stretching, forcing the cell to expand primarily in a direction perpendicular to the cell wall. This results in a box-like shape.
5. Turgor pressure: Another factor contributing to the rigidity of plant cells is turgor pressure. Turgor pressure is caused by the osmotic movement of water into the plant cell, creating pressure against the cell wall. This pressure helps to maintain the overall shape and rigidity of the plant.
In summary, the box-like and rigid nature of plant cells is primarily due to the presence of a thick and strong cell wall made up of cellulose. The cell wall restricts cell expansion and, along with turgor pressure, maintains the structural integrity of the cell.