Question

What is the difference between cell membrane and cell wall?

Answer 1

Cell wall and cell membranes are essential for the cells and carry out specific functions.
*Cell wall is the structure present only in plant cells. The cell wall gives rigidity to the cell. It provides toughness and strength to the plant body which stands erect in different environmental conditions. It is made up of cellulose and pectin.
*Cell membrane is a biological membrane that separates the interior of all cells from the outside environment. The cell membrane is selectively permeable to ions and organic molecules and controls the movement of substances in and out of cells. It consists of the phospholipid bilayer with embedded proteins.

CELL WALL	CELL MEMBRANE
It is present only in plant cells and some bacterial cells.	It is present in all living cells.
It exists outside the cell membrane.	It exists around the protoplasm of all the living cells.
It is thick and permeable layer.	It is thin and selectively permeable layer.
It is mainly made up of cellulose and pectin.	It is made up of lipoproteins.
It is protective in functions. It also provides mechanical strength to the cells.	It regulates the exchange of materials between the cell and the environment.