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Plant cells have a cell wall, a rigid outer covering that protects the cell and provides shape and support. During cell division, a mixture of enzymes, proteins, and glucose molecules is transported via vesicles to the center of the cell. These vesicles continuously fuse and build a cell plate between the dividing cells. As the cell plate matures, new polysaccharides are added to it to form the cell walls of the daughter cells. The predominant polysaccharide in the cell wall is cellulose, made...
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The bacterial cell wall is an essential structural component that encases the plasma membrane, preserving cellular integrity, determining shape, and protecting against osmotic stress. This rigid yet flexible structure primarily comprises peptidoglycan, a polymer that forms a mesh-like matrix conferring mechanical strength and flexibility.Peptidoglycan Composition and StructurePeptidoglycan, the core of the bacterial cell wall, comprises alternating units of N-acetylglucosamine (NAG) and...
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Archaeal cell walls are structurally and compositionally distinct from their bacterial counterparts, lacking the characteristic peptidoglycan layer found in most bacteria. Instead, archaeal cell walls exhibit remarkable diversity, utilizing materials such as pseudomurein, polysaccharides, and proteins to construct their protective outer layers. This structural flexibility is closely tied to archaea's ecological adaptability.S-Layers: The Common Archaeal Cell WallThe S-layer is the most...
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Christian de Duve discovered “autophagy,” a process in which cellular components are engulfed by membrane-bound organelles called autophagosomes. The autophagosomes then fuse with lysosomes to digest the enclosed contents. Autophagy is generally activated in cells to prevent cell death. However, cell death is triggered when the damage is beyond repair.
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Experimental Screening Protocols, Immunocytochemistry and Microscopy-based Imaging Techniques for Penium margaritaceum
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Cell wall is a dead metaphor.

Vincent James1, Winfried S Peters2

  • 1School of Biological Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164, USA.

Journal of Plant Physiology
|September 30, 2023
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

The term "cell wall" remains appropriate in microbiology, despite recent suggestions to abandon it. Misunderstandings about cell wall history and function, not the term itself, cause confusion.

Keywords:
BiomechanicsCell wallHugo de VriesMetaphorPlasmolysisRobert Hooke

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Area of Science:

  • Cell Biology
  • Microbiology
  • Plant Physiology

Background:

  • A recent proposal suggests discontinuing the term "cell wall" in microbiology due to its metaphorical origins.
  • This proposal has sparked debate regarding the historical context and functional understanding of cell walls.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To analyze the arguments for discontinuing the term "cell wall" from a plant physiologist's perspective.
  • To clarify the historical development and functional concepts of cell walls in scientific terminology.

Main Methods:

  • Historical analysis of cell biology terminology.
  • Examination of the evolution of modern cell wall function concepts.
  • Evaluation of the role of metaphors in scientific communication.

Main Results:

  • The suggestion to abandon the term "cell wall" stems from a misunderstanding of its history and function.
  • Early cell biology terminology, including "cell wall," has a valid scientific basis.
  • Modern concepts of cell wall function have evolved significantly since the late 19th century.

Conclusions:

  • The term "cell wall" remains scientifically valid and useful in microbiology.
  • Misconceptions about cell walls are more likely due to pedagogical issues than the term's metaphorical origins.
  • Scientific terminology, even if metaphorical in origin, can be precisely defined and functionally relevant.