Chapter 5 - Cells: The Working Units of Life - 5.4 - Extracellular Structures Have Important Roles - 5.4 Recap - Learning Outcomes - Page 105: 1

Cell walls provide structure and rigidity. They also prevent cell swelling as the result of osmotic pressure, since it does not maintain a balance between cytosol and extracellular water pressure like animal cells do. The extracellular matrix helps cells bind together and allows for a variety of functions such as adhesion and differentiation. A major component of the matrix is collagen, which provides structural integrity to animal cells.

Cell walls provide structure and rigidity. They also prevent cell swelling as the result of osmotic pressure, since it does not maintain a balance between cytosol and extracellular water pressure like animal cells do. The extracellular matrix helps cells bind together and allows for a variety of functions such as adhesion and differentiation. A major component of the matrix is collagen, which provides structural integrity to animal cells.