A cell wall can be compared to a fortress wall. Just like a fortress wall provides protection and structural support to a castle, the cell wall offers protection and structural support to the cell. The cell wall is a rigid layer that surrounds the cell membrane in plants, fungi, and some bacteria. It helps maintain the cell’s shape, prevents it from bursting under pressure, and protects it from external threats, much like how a fortress wall shields the inhabitants inside from invaders and environmental hazards.