Chapter 6, Problem 6.7CR

Summary Introduction

To compare: The structure and functions of a plant cell wall and the extracellular matrix of an animal cell.

Concept introduction: Plants and animals are eukaryotes. They have well organized membrane-bound structures. Cell contains different organelles. Each organelle has its own specific features. The cell wall is the outermost boundary of a plant cell that provides shape and protection to the cell. Animal cells do not have a cell wall but they consist of plasma membrane. The cell synthesizes and secretes a material outside of the cell called extracellular matrix (ECM), which plays a role in the cellular functions and protection.