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cell wall of bacteria
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- Thu Oct 15 2009
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... Cell wall of Bacteria The bacterial cell wall is a unique structure which surrounds the cell membrane. Although not present in every bacterial species, the cell wall is very important as a cellular component. Structurally, the wall is necessary for: * Maintaining the cell's characteristic shape- the rigid wall compensates for the flexibility of the phospholipids membrane and keeps the cell from assuming a spherical shape. * Countering the effects of osmotic pressure- the strength of the wall is responsible for keeping the cell from bursting when the intracellular osmolarity is much greater than the extra cellular teichoic osmolarity. * Providing attachment sites for bacteriophages-teichoic acids attached to the outer surface of the wall are like landing pads for viruses that infect bacteria. * Providing a rigid platform for surface appendages- flagella, fimbriae, and pili all emanate from the wall and extend beyond it. The cell walls of all bacteria are not














