Plant Cell Wall Patterning and Cell Shape

The plant cell wall is a tough, flexible and sometimes rigid layer that surrounds some types of cells. It surrounds the cell membrane and provides these cells with structural support and protection. The walls of plant cells must have sufficient tensile strength to withstand internal osmotic pressures of several times atmospheric pressure that result from the difference in solute concentration between the cell interior and external water. This book focuses on the diverse function of cell walls in plant development, intercellular communication, and defining cell shape.