Admission Test for Dental Hygiene (ATDH) Practice

The main purpose of the cell wall in plant cells is to provide structural support and protection. The cell wall is a rigid outer layer that surrounds the plasma membrane of plant cells and is primarily composed of cellulose, hemicellulose, and pectin. This structure gives plants their shape and helps maintain turgor pressure, which is crucial for keeping the cells turgid and the plant upright. Additionally, the cell wall acts as a protective barrier against mechanical stresses, pathogens, and dehydration, thus playing a vital role in the overall integrity and health of the plant. While other functions like transport, photosynthesis, and waste regulation are essential processes in plant cells, they are not the primary purpose of the cell wall. Transport of substances happens primarily across the plasma membrane and through specialized structures. Photosynthesis occurs within chloroplasts, and waste regulation involves various cellular mechanisms that do not rely on the cell wall specifically.