What structure in plant cells provides support and protection?

The cell wall in plant cells is the correct answer because it is a rigid outer layer that provides structural support and protection to the cell. Composed mainly of cellulose, the cell wall helps maintain the shape of the cell and prevents excessive water uptake, which could cause the cell to burst. This structure distinguishes plant cells from animal cells, which do not have a cell wall.

The cell membrane, while important for regulating what enters and leaves the cell and providing some level of support, is not rigid like the cell wall. Chloroplasts are specialized organelles responsible for photosynthesis and do not contribute to cell structure in terms of support and protection. The nucleus serves as the control center of the cell, housing genetic material but does not offer structural protection or support in the way the cell wall does. Thus, the cell wall is essential for both the integrity and the functionality of plant cells.