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139

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

Insights

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.

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.
Keywords:
BiomechanicsCell wallHugo de VriesMetaphorPlasmolysisRobert Hooke

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