Chapter 7, Problem 31A

Summary Introduction

To describe:

A specific example or a scenario where cell wall of a plant has helped in its survival in its natural habitat.

Introduction:

Cell wall are the made of cellulose and the long fibers provides rigidity to the cells of the plant. Cell wall of a plant is a not a living component and it is the outermost cell layer. Although the cell wall is permeable in nature, but the composition of the cell wall changes. It protects the inner organelles of a cell from external environment.

Explanation of Solution

Majority of the plants in deserts have special wax like coating on the cells and have thickened cell walls. The thick wax like coating over on the cell prevents loss of moisture from the plants and protects it from extremes of temperature. Plants tend to lose large amount of moisture through transpiration and it is prevented through modified cell walls of the desert plants adapted to the desert conditions.