Prokaryotic cell wall The cell wall of the bacterial cell is a complex semi-rigid structure that is responsible for the characteristic shape of the cell. The cell wall surrounds the underlying, fragile plasma (cytoplasmic) membrane and protects it and internal parts of the cell from adverse changes in the surrounding environment Almost all prokaryotes have cell walls• The cell wall of the bacterial cell is a complex, semi-rigid structure that is responsible for the characteristic shape of the cell. The cell wall surrounds the underlying, fragile plasma (cytoplasmic) membrane and protects it and internal parts of the cell from adverse changes in the surrounding environment. • Almost all prokaryotes have cell walls. Prokaryotic cell wall