The Plasma Membrane and the Cell Wall

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingBook chapterResearchpeer-review

Plant cell walls are among the features that distinguish plants from animals. The cell wall contributes to internal cellular turgor pressure while offering protection to the cell from external threats. The cell wall is also flexible, and its content and structures are modulated according to growth and tropisms. A typical plant cell wall is primarily composed of carbohydrates synthesized either at the plasma membrane (PM) or in the trans-Golgi network: cellulose and callose are produced at the PM, whereas the matrix polysaccharides, i.e., pectins and hemicelluloses, are synthesized in the Golgi apparatus and are subsequently transported across the PM via exocytosis. The wall also contains enzymes and structural glycoproteins. The cell wall is formed by independent and coordinated mechanisms based on physical properties and self-assembly, as well as the action of cell wallmodifying enzymes. Thus, the plant cell wall physiology is dynamic and includes coordinated sugar synthesis, polymer assembly, trafficking, and modification.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationThe Plant Plasma Membrane
EditorsAngus Murphy, Wendy Peer, Burkhard Schulz
Number of pages29
PublisherSpringer
Publication date2010
Pages57-85
ISBN (Print)9783642134302
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2010
Externally publishedYes
SeriesPlant Cell Monographs
Volume19
ISSN1861-1370

ID: 273376768