Difference Between Plasma Membrane And Cell Wall

The plasma membrane and cell wall both are the parts of cell structure. Plasma membrane is present in plants as well as animals whereas cell wall is present in plants and fungal cells. Both the plasma membrane and cell wall protect the cell and act as a barrier to the external environment. The plasma membrane is present at the inner side of the cell wall in plant cells whereas acts as an outermost layer in animal cells. Both are important parts of cell structure and are different from one another.

Difference Between Plasma Membrane And Cell Wall

Differences between Plasma Membrane and Cell Wall are as follows:

Parameter	Plasma Membrane	Cell Wall
Presence	Plasma membrane is present in plant cells as well as animal cells.	The cell wall is present only in plants and fungal cells.
Composition	The plasma membrane is made up of carbohydrates and lipoproteins.	The cell wall in plants is made up of cellulose and the fungal cell wall is made up of chitin
Structure	The plasma membrane is flexible and not rigid in structure.	The cell wall is thick and rigid in structure.
Receptors	Plasma membrane have receptors that helps in cell to cell communication.	Cell wall does not have receptors.
Nutrition	In order to survive properly plasma membrane requires proper nutrition.	No nutrition is required for cell wall.
Provides protection for	Plasma membrane provides protection for cytoplasm and organelles present inside it.	The cell wall provides protection for entire protoplasm.
Regeneration and repair	Plasma membrane is capable of repairing and regenerating itself.	Cell wall cannot repair or regenerate itself.
Living/Non-living	Plasma membrane is metabolically living and active.	Cell wall is a non living component unlike cell membrane.
Functions	Functions of Plasma Membrane: Plasma membrane is responsible for maintaining the constant internal environment in the cell cytoplasm. Plasma membrane is responsible for holding cellular contents and to control passage of materials in and out of the cell.	Functions of Cell Wall: Cell wall acts as a food reservoir and performs regulation of intercellular transport. Cell wall provides strength to the cell and protects it from pathogens.

What is Plasma Membrane?

Plasma Membrane is also known as Cell Membrane. It has a thin layer and fragile structure that is of only 5-10 nm and located below the cell wall. Plasma membrane is found in all the different types of cells. Plasma Membrane is permeable which means that it does not allow all the materials to enter inside the cell. Plasma membrane acts as a outer layer if cell wall is not present. Cell membrane is visible with the help of electron microscope. Plasma membrane is metabolically living and active therefore protects the cytoplasm and even its internal environment. Plasma membrane is also responsible for maintaining the constant internal environment in the cell cytoplasm.

What is Cell Wall?

Cell wall is defined as the most outermost layer of any plant cell, bacterial cell and fungal cell. Cell wall covers the plasma membrane in order to protect the protoplasm. Cell wall is absent in animal cells therefore plasma membrane is the outermost layer of the cell in animals. The cell wall is very thick and rigid in structure that is of 4 to 20 um. Cell wall is a non living component unlike cell membrane. Cell wall can be seen with the help of light microscope. The cell wall in plants is made up of cellulose and the fungal cell wall is made up of chitin. Cell wall acts as a food reservoir and performs regulation of intercellular transport.

Similarities between Plasma Membrane and Cell Wall

Similarities between Plasma Membrane and Cell Wall are as follows:

1. Both Plasma membrane and cell wall provides with the protection.
2. Incoming and outgoing of molecules is regulated by both plasma membrane and cell wall.
3. Plasma membrane and cell wall both gives shape to the cells.
4. Plasma membrane and cell wall provides with rigidity and support to cells.

FAQs on Plasma Membrane and Cell Wall

1. What is the difference between the plasma membrane and the cell wall?

The basic difference between plasma membrane and cell wall is that plasma membrane is present in both the plants and animals whereas cell wall is present only in plants and fungal cells. Plasma membrane is not rigid and have a thin structure whereas cell wall has a thick and rigid structure.

2. What are the functions of the cell membrane?

Functions of the cell membrane are as follows:

• To provide protection to the cell from its outer environment.
• Cell membrane helps to control metabolic process and thus acts as enzymes.
• Cell membrane controls the flow of water and other solutes in and out of the cell.

3. What are the Functions of the Cell Wall?

Functions of the cell wall are as follows:

• Cell wall provides protection for entire protoplasm.
• Cell wall acts as a food reservoir and performs regulation of intercellular transport.
• Cell wall provides strength to the cell and protects it from pathogens.

4. Is the Cell Wall Living or Dead?

Cell wall is a dead or non living component of the cell structure unlike cell membrane. Because it has no internal activity and just functions to preserve the protoplasm inside the cell, the cellulose of the cell wall makes it a non-living component.

5. What are the two Main Components of the Plasma Membrane?

The two main components of the plasma membrane are the phospholipid bilayer and the proteins. Phospholipid bilayer forms a stable and strong barrier between the aqueous compartments and proteins are present within the phospholipid bilayer that carries out functions such as cell to cell recognition and transport of molecules.