First published in 1985, this book contains twelve contributions from scientists of international repute concerning the chemistry of the cell wall, its biosynthesis, and biochemical aspects of its functions. The common theme is the emphasis on the molecules that make up the cell wall: their chemical structure, the enzymic mechanisms by which they are formed, and the interactions between molecules that enable them to perform their structural and growth-controlling functions. The book contains reviews of recent developments, together with critical assessments of the methods used, and analyses of the major challenges that face cell-wall scientists today.