Q2)b. What are the advantages and disadvantages of animal cells only having a cell membrane (Compared to a cell wall found in plants)?
Function of the Cell wall:
The function of the cell wall is to allow the circulation and distribution of water,minerals and other small nutrient molecules into and out of the cell. It also acts as a physical barrier to substances like pathogens, and the strong cell wall prevents expansion when water enters the cell. Most importantly, it provides support and mechanical strength to allow plants to get tall, holding out thin leaves to obtain light, and it also gives the plant cell a regular shape.
Disadvantage of not having a cell wall in animal cells:
The disadvantage of the animal cell not having a cell wall is that the cell membrane is not strong enough to be able to protect the interior from any physical movement that may damage the cell, and also to provide support for the cell like the plant cell. Also, the cell wall of the plant cell prevents it from bursting, so it is sturdier in comparison to the animal cell.
Advantage of not having cell wall in animal cells:
However, as much as cell walls has their advantage, they can actually make a cell rigid, and it is not needed in an animal system. That is because with a regular shaped cell, these cells would not be able to pass and squeeze through our blood vessels or other small places that our animal cells are now able to squeeze through. Having these rigid cell walls may also cause a blood clot, so the cell wall has its disadvantages too.
So there are reasons why God created animals without cell walls afterall :D
Function of the Cell wall:
The function of the cell wall is to allow the circulation and distribution of water,minerals and other small nutrient molecules into and out of the cell. It also acts as a physical barrier to substances like pathogens, and the strong cell wall prevents expansion when water enters the cell. Most importantly, it provides support and mechanical strength to allow plants to get tall, holding out thin leaves to obtain light, and it also gives the plant cell a regular shape.
Disadvantage of not having a cell wall in animal cells:
The disadvantage of the animal cell not having a cell wall is that the cell membrane is not strong enough to be able to protect the interior from any physical movement that may damage the cell, and also to provide support for the cell like the plant cell. Also, the cell wall of the plant cell prevents it from bursting, so it is sturdier in comparison to the animal cell.
Advantage of not having cell wall in animal cells:
However, as much as cell walls has their advantage, they can actually make a cell rigid, and it is not needed in an animal system. That is because with a regular shaped cell, these cells would not be able to pass and squeeze through our blood vessels or other small places that our animal cells are now able to squeeze through. Having these rigid cell walls may also cause a blood clot, so the cell wall has its disadvantages too.
So there are reasons why God created animals without cell walls afterall :D
