Question

Which of the following is not a function of the plant cell wall?

(1) It allows plant cells to develop osmotic turgor pressure that pushes against their surrounding walls.
(2) It provides mechanical support for individual cells and serves as a type of "skeleton" for the whole
plant.
(3) It protects cells against damage from mechanical abrasion, osmotic influx of water & pathogens.
(4) It prevents cell-cell interactions.
(5) It can be a source of signals that alter activities of cells that it contacts.

Answer 1

The plant cell wall does not prevent cell-cell interactions; rather, it has several functions like developing osmotic turgor pressure, providing mechanical support, protecting the cell, and signaling. The incorrect option stating otherwise is (4).

Step-by-step explanation:

Functions of the plant cell wall include allowing plant cells to develop osmotic turgor pressure which is crucial for the cell's water balance, providing mechanical support which serves as a type of "skeleton" for the plant, and protecting cells from mechanical damage, osmotic stress, and pathogens. The cell wall also serves as a source of signals that can alter the activities of the cells it contacts. However, the plant cell wall does not prevent cell-cell interactions; instead, it may facilitate intercellular communication through plasmodesmata, which are channels that traverse the cell walls of plant cells.

The incorrect statement in the options provided is the idea that the cell wall prevents cell-cell interactions. All other listed functions are accurate descriptions of the roles played by the cell wall in plant cells.