The cell wall surrounds the plasma membrane of plant cells and provides tensile strength and protection against mechanical and osmotic stress. ... In drought, a plant may wilt, but its cell walls help maintain the structural integrity of its stems, leaves, and other structures, despite a shrinking, less turgid vacuole.

What does cell walls look like?

A cell wall is a structural layer surrounding some types of cells, just outside the cell membrane. It can be tough, flexible, and sometimes rigid. ... The primary cell wall of land plants is composed of the polysaccharides cellulose, hemicelluloses and pectin.

How does a cell wall give its shape?

The cell wall is a rigid covering that protects the cell, provides structural support, and gives shape to the cell. ... That's because you are tearing the rigid cell walls of the celery cells with your teeth. Figure 2. Cellulose is a long chain of β-glucose molecules connected by a 1-4 linkage.