Question

The thicker walls seen in mature plants that no longer allow extensive growth of the cell wall are known as _______.

Answer 1

Secondary cell walls in mature plants provide compressive strength and resist expansion, contributing to the rigidity and structure of the plant.

Step-by-step explanation:

The thicker walls seen in mature plants that no longer allow extensive growth of the cell wall are known as secondary cell walls.

These walls are deposited after cell expansion has ceased and are composed of cellulose microfibrils imbedded in a matrix of lignin, which provides substantial compressive strength.

Unlike the primary cell wall, which is present during the growth phase of a plant cell, the secondary cell wall moderates the cell's expansion by resisting the turgor pressure inside the cell that is formed due to the inward diffusion of water.