What are the functions of bacterial cell walls?

The bacterial cell wall performs several crucial functions.

• Helps to maintain cell shape and structural integrity, thereby helping the cell move, grow, reproduce, and obtain nutrients
• Provides overall strength to the cell
• Protects the cell from osmotic lysis as it moves around different environments
• Prevents toxic substances from entering the cell
• Contributes to the pathogenicity or disease-causing ability of the bacteria