Biology - why do plants and algal have cell wall?

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the hypothesis regarding the presence of cell walls in algal and plant cells, specifically addressing their role in adapting to aquatic environments and protecting against osmotic pressure. Participants suggest that the cell wall prevents cell membranes from bursting due to excess endosmosis, highlighting the evolutionary advantage of this structure. The conversation also raises questions about why animal cells do not possess cell walls despite similar evolutionary pressures. Testing the hypothesis involves using mutant individuals lacking cell walls and employing the Benedict's test for reducing sugars to analyze polysaccharide presence.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of cell biology concepts, specifically cell wall functions.
  • Knowledge of osmotic pressure and its effects on cells.
  • Familiarity with polysaccharides and their roles in plant and algal cells.
  • Basic understanding of experimental design in biological research.
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the role of cell walls in maintaining homeostasis in plant and algal cells.
  • Study the mechanisms of osmotic pressure and its impact on cellular structures.
  • Learn about the Benedict's test and its application in detecting reducing sugars.
  • Explore evolutionary biology concepts related to the development of cell walls in different organisms.
USEFUL FOR

Students studying biology, particularly those interested in plant and algal cell structures, evolutionary biology, and experimental methodologies in cellular research.

MarcL
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Homework Statement



Suggest a hypothesis to explain why algal and plant cells have cell walls. Suppose that mutant individuals from each group lacked a cell wall. How could you use these individuals to test your hypothesis?



Homework Equations



There aren't really...

The Attempt at a Solution



My hypothesis was that it was to adapt to the aquatic environment. ( I don't really know how to explain it, isn't the cell wall in algal to protect them from osmotic pressure? ). The way to test it I said was to use the Benedict's test for reducing sugar because there's polysaccharides in plants ( again, not sure but in the chloroplasts?). I was reading my book and I didn't find an answer anywhere for this
 
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Osmotic pressure happens because of the cell wall. No way an organism would evolve one to avoid it. Perhaps a thicker, more robust one.
I would start along the lines of homeostasis and concentration gradients.

I believe you will find polysaccs in the cell walls of algae as well as the cytoplasm.
 
It is quite obvious that cell wall is to prevent cell membrane from bursting due to excess endosmosis... But why only the plant cells developed it and why not animal cells if it was an evolution over non walled membrane?
 

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