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cell wall
noun
: the usually rigid nonliving permeable wall that surrounds the plasma membrane and encloses and supports the cells of most plants, bacteria, fungi, and algae see cell illustration
Examples of cell wall in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Plants need calcium to build cell walls and grow strong new root tips, shoots, and leaves.
—Stacey Leasca, Southern Living, 7 May 2024
When the toxin reaches the outer surface of a cell, this protein forms into a doughnut-like shape, then punches a hole through the cell wall.
—Carlyn Kranking, Smithsonian Magazine, 26 Dec. 2023
Kale's fibrous cell walls may prevent your body from absorbing nutrients, but cooking kale can reduce its antioxidant content.
—Stephanie Brown, Verywell Health, 8 Dec. 2023
The drugs are generally active against gram-positive bacteria, a group of bacteria that has peptidoglycan on the outside of the cell wall.
—Jenny Sweigard, Verywell Health, 16 Nov. 2023
Bacteria are surrounded by a cell wall and a membrane; many antibiotics use a channel in these structures to get inside the bacterium.
—Bill Sullivan, Discover Magazine, 3 Nov. 2021
When the bacteria divide, penicillin prevents proteins in the cell wall from reassembling properly, causing the bacterial cell to rupture and quickly die.2
Natural penicillins are those directly derived from P. chrysogenum fungi.
—Jenny Sweigard, Verywell Health, 16 Nov. 2023
Penicillin antibiotics, which kill bacteria by preventing them from building a cell wall, are used to treat various illnesses such as pneumonia, meningitis, skin infections and dental abscesses.
—Andrew Chapman, Scientific American, 5 Oct. 2023
Perhaps the most significant finding, the authors write in the journal Advanced Materials, is that any number of materials, including cellulose, which is found in the cell walls of plants, can be used for the device, provided they can be engineered with small enough pores.
—Sabrina Shankman, BostonGlobe.com, 26 May 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'cell wall.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1840, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near cell wall
Cite this Entry
“Cell wall.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cell%20wall. Accessed 23 May. 2024.
Kids Definition
cell wall
noun
: the firm nonliving layer that encloses and supports the cells of most plants, bacteria, fungi, and algae
Medical Definition
cell wall
noun
: the usually rigid nonliving permeable wall that surrounds the plasma membrane and encloses and supports the cells of most plants, bacteria, fungi, and algae
More from Merriam-Webster on cell wall
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about cell wall
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