Final answer:
The cell wall is responsible for providing shape, support, and resistance to osmotic pressure in both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells like those in plants, fungi, and some protists. It is composed of peptidoglycan in prokaryotes and cellulose in plant cells, helping these cells maintain their shape and withstand changes in osmotic pressure.
Step-by-step explanation:
The cell structure designed to provide shape, support, and resistance to osmotic pressure is the cell wall. In both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells, such as those of plants, fungi, and some protists, the cell wall plays a crucial role. It surrounds the cell membrane, offering protection against environmental changes, particularly osmotic stress.
When water diffuses across the semipermeable membrane of the cell due to osmosis, the cell wall prevents the cell from bursting (osmotic lysis) in hypotonic environments where the outside is less concentrated, or from shrinking in hypertonic environments where the outside is more concentrated.
The cell wall is mainly composed of peptidoglycan in prokaryotes, while in plant cells, cellulose is the major component. This structure contributes to the tonicity of the cell, allowing it to withstand subtle changes in osmotic pressure.
It enables cells to maintain their shape and, in the case of plants, supports the cell when it is turgid, enhancing its rigidity. The crunch you experience when biting into a vegetable like celery is due to the cellulose in the cell walls providing that rigidity.