How are cell walls important to bacterial cells?

Answer 1

Cell walls surround the cell outside of the plasma membrane. When water flows into the cell by osmosis, the cell swells until its membrane builds up pressure against the cell wall. The cell wall prevents the cell from swelling and bursting in a hypotonic solution.

Answer 2

Bacteria cells are simpler than animal or plant cells. Bacteria cells are prokaryotic, and don't have a true nucleus, just a nucleoid area. So if there is no cell wall, the DNA is unprotected, and the bacteria dies and cannot replicate. That's why we take penicillin when we are sick. It stops bacteria from making a cell wall, meaning the bacteria doesn't multiply as fast, and our bodies have a chance to fight it and get better.