Difference between Cell membrane and Cell wall
No. |
Cell membrane |
Cell wall |
1. | Cell membrane is present in all the living cells. | Cell wall is not present in the animal cell. |
2. | Cell membrane is the outermost layer of animal cells. | Cell wall is the outermost layer of bacteria, fungi, and archaea and plant cells. |
3. | Cell membrane is made up of proteins, lipids and carbohydrates. | Cell wall is made up of chitin in fungi, peptidoglycan in bacteria and cellulose in plants. |
4. | Cell membrane is selectively permeable. | Cell wall is completely permeable. |
5. | Cell membrane can be observed under electron microscope. | Cell wall can be observed under the light microscope. |
6. | Cell membrane actually provides flexible and round shape to the cell. | Cell wall provides a fixed shape to the cell. |
7. | Cell membrane is basically a thin and delicate structure with 5 to 10 nm wide. | Cell wall is basically a thick and rigid structure with 4 to 20 µm wide. |
8. | Cell membrane is metabolically active and alive. | Cell wall is metabolically inactive and non-living. |