Nature Series 4

“Plant Cells: The importance of the cell wall

Unlike Animals, plant cells are encased in cell walls that form box-like compartments. More than any other feature, it is the cell wall that has influenced the evolution of plants. Cell walls affect how plant cells are organised, interact with each other and function. In fact, the fundamental differences between plants and animals in regard to mechanisms of nutrition, growth, reproduction and defence can be attributed largely to the presence of cell walls in plants.” Biology An Australian Focus, by Knox, Ladiges, Evans, Saint. 2014, page 160.