Question

What do the cell walls of plants and the extracellular matrix of animal cells have in common?

A) They are largely composed of phospholipids and glycoproteins.
B) Their proteins are made by free cytoplasmic ribosomes.
C) They form rigid structures that provide structural support for cells but limit their expansion.
D) They limit the passage of small molecules.
E) They have functional connections with the cytoskeleton inside the cell.

Answer 1

Plant cell walls are made of cellulose which provides rigidity, while the animal extracellular matrix is composed of proteins and carbohydrates like proteoglycans and collagen to support cell shape and integrity, despite being of different compositions.

Step-by-step explanation:

The cell walls of plants and the extracellular matrix of animal cells share a common function despite being composed of different substances. Both provide structural support to their respective cells. Plant cell walls contain cellulose, which is a polysaccharide made up of glucose units, giving plants their rigidity. Animal cells, on the other hand, rely on an extracellular matrix composed of a combination of carbohydrates and proteins, such as proteoglycans and collagen, which interact with integrins to anchor the matrix to the cell's plasma membrane. Although the materials are different, the two structures similarly support cell shape and integrity.