Question

Fungal cell wall is formed of:
A. Pectin
B. Hemicellulose
C. Chitin and cellulose
D. Chitin and pectin.

Answer 1

Hint: The cell wall is a characteristic feature of fungi and is composed mainly of chitins, glycoproteins, and glycans. Their cells contain membrane-bound organelles and a well-defined nucleus.

Complete answer:
Fungi are eukaryotic organisms i.e. there cells contain membrane-bound organs and a well-defined nucleus. Fungi can be single-celled or complex multicellular organisms mostly found in land and soil but can also be found in the sea and freshwater.
The cell wall is a rigid layer that surrounds the cells and is located outside the membrane. The cell wall in fungi provides rigidity and shape. It also facilitates host defense and interaction mechanisms.

The fungal cell has great elasticity that is vital for maintaining cellular integrity and viability. It plays an important role in protecting cells from mechanical stresses and also mediates interaction with the external environment. The cell wall has different layers among which the innermost layer is a more conserved structure on which the remaining layers are deposited. This arrangement varies among different species of fungi.
Some of the major constituents of the cell wall are as follows:-
(a) Glucans
Note that it is the most important structural part of the cell and comprises 50-60 % of the dry weight of the structure. All other components of the wall are covalently structured to glucans.
(b) Chitin
It constitutes 1-2 % of the dry weight of yeast cell wall and can reach up to 10-20 % in filamentous fungi. Chitin is an example of carbohydrates and is a modified form of cellulose. Chitin is also known as fungus cellulose. Lower fungi have also a cell wall formed of a tiny portion of cellulose.
(c) Glycoproteins
It comprises 30-50% of dry weight in the fungal wall of yeast and 20-30% in filamentous fungi. Cell wall Proteins have different functions like maintenance of shape, adhesion processes, and absorption of molecules.

Hence, the correct answer is option (C)

Note: Finally, a cell wall in fungi provides rigidity and shape which also facilitates host defense and interaction mechanisms. Fungi are eukaryotic organisms i.e. there cells contain membrane-bound organelles and a well-defined nucleus.