Question

1. what is the difference between the cell wall and the cell membrane? identify 2 characteristics to compare.

Explanation:

To answer the question, we analyze two key characteristics: presence in cell types and structure/composition.

1. Presence in Cell Types: The cell wall is found in plant cells, fungal cells, and bacterial cells, but absent in animal cells. The cell membrane is present in all types of cells (plant, animal, fungal, bacterial, etc.).
2. Structure and Composition: The cell wall is a rigid, thick structure mainly composed of cellulose (in plants), chitin (in fungi), or peptidoglycan (in bacteria). The cell membrane is a flexible, thin bilayer made of phospholipids and proteins, with a fluid - mosaic structure.

Answer:

Two characteristics to compare cell wall and cell membrane:

1. Presence in Cell Types: Cell wall is present in plant, fungal, and bacterial cells (absent in animal cells); cell membrane is present in all cell types.
2. Structure and Composition: Cell wall is rigid, thick, and composed of cellulose (plant), chitin (fungi), or peptidoglycan (bacteria); cell membrane is flexible, thin, and a phospholipid - protein bilayer with a fluid - mosaic structure.