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Updated: Feb 12, 2026

Glycan Profiling of Plant Cell Wall Polymers using Microarrays
Published on: December 17, 2012
Plant and algal structure: from cell walls to biomechanical function
Ilana Shtein1,2,3, Benny Bar-On1, Zoë A Popper2
1Department of Mechanical Engineering, Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, 84105, Israel.
Abstract:
Plant and algal cell walls are complex biomaterials composed of stiff cellulose microfibrils embedded in a soft matrix of polysaccharides, proteins and phenolic compounds. Cell wall composition differs between taxonomic groups and different tissue types (or even at the sub-cellular level) within a plant enabling specific biomechanical properties important for cell/tissue function. Moreover, cell wall composition changes may be induced in response to environmental conditions. Plant structure, habit, morphology and internal anatomy are also dependent on the taxonomic group as well as abiotic and biotic factors. This review aims to examine the complex and incompletely understood interactions of cell wall composition, plant form and biomechanical function.
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