What component provides structural support and protection to plant cells?

The cell wall is the component that provides structural support and protection to plant cells. Composed primarily of cellulose, the cell wall creates a rigid outer layer that helps maintain the shape of the cell and protects it from mechanical stress as well as potential pathogens. This structure is crucial for plants, as it allows them to withstand the turgor pressure exerted by the cell's internal fluid without bursting.

In addition to serving as a protective barrier, the cell wall also plays a significant role in regulating the interaction of the plant cell with its environment. It helps to filter what can pass into and out of the cell, contributing to overall cell integrity and functioning.

The other options do not provide the same level of structural support. The cell membrane, for example, is more flexible and primarily responsible for controlling the movement of substances in and out of the cell rather than providing structural rigidity. The cytoplasm is the jelly-like substance within the cell that houses organelles but does not provide structural support. The nucleus serves as the control center for the cell, housing genetic material, but it does not contribute to the structural strength of the cell itself.