Question

Write four differences between plasma membrane and cell wall.

Answer 1

Plasma membrane or Cell membrane:

1. The cytoplasm of the cells is covered by a membrane called the plasma membrane.
2. It separates the interior of the cell from the outside environment.

Cell wall:

1. The cell wall acts as the covering around the cell membrane protecting the protoplasm.
2. It is a non-living component present only in the plant cell.

Plasma membrane	Cell wall
1. Allows easy movement to specific components as it is semi-permeable	1. Does not allow any movement as it is a rigid structure and completely permeable to most molecules.
2. It is present in both plant and animal cells.	2. It is present in the plant and fungal cells.
3. It is made up of lipoprotein and phospholipids.	3. Cell walls are made out of cellulose and pectin.
4. It protects the cytoplasm along with organelles present in the cytoplasm.	4. The cell wall protects the entire protoplasm of the cell.
5. Allows the animal cells to change their structures into different forms.	5. Plant cells mainly stay rigid due to such cell wall structures.