Why do plant cells have cell walls? ​

Correct option is D

​The correct answer is (d) ​They protect the plant cells from various environmental factors

Explanation: Plant cells have cell walls for several important reasons, as the cell wall plays a critical role in maintaining the structure and function of plant cells. Here are the key reasons why plant cells have cell walls:

1. Structural Support: The cell wall provides rigidity and structural support to the plant cell. It helps the plant maintain its shape and prevents it from collapsing under internal pressure (turgor pressure). This is especially important because plant cells do not have a skeletal system like animals.

2. Protection: The cell wall acts as a protective barrier against physical damage and pathogens. It helps defend the plant cell from mechanical injury, as well as from invasion by harmful microorganisms like bacteria and fungi.

3. Regulation of Growth: The cell wall controls cell expansion and growth. During growth, the cell wall can stretch and loosen to allow the cell to expand, but it also regulates how much expansion is possible. This is crucial for proper cell division and overall plant development.

4. Prevention of Water Loss: The cell wall helps prevent excessive water loss from the cell. By maintaining the integrity of the cell, it helps plants retain water, which is critical for their survival, especially in dry environments.

5. Intercellular Communication: The cell wall plays a role in communication between plant cells. It contains pores and channels (plasmodesmata) that allow the transfer of materials and signals between adjacent plant cells. This coordination is important for processes like growth and response to environmental conditions.

6. Turgor Pressure Maintenance: The cell wall helps maintain turgor pressure within the cell, which is the internal pressure created by water entering the plant cell via osmosis. The rigid structure of the cell wall prevents the cell from bursting under this pressure, allowing the plant to maintain its firmness and stability.​