external encapsulating structure obsolete external encapsulating structure part true GO:0044462 OBSOLETE. Any constituent part of an external encapsulating structure, a structure that lies outside the plasma membrane and surrounds the entire cell. This does not include the periplasmic space but does include the outer membrane (of gram negative bacteria) or cell wall (of yeast or Gram positive bacteria). Note that this term is in the subset of terms that should not be used for direct gene product annotation. Instead, select a child term or, if no appropriate child term exists, please request a new term. Direct annotations to this term may be amended during annotation QC. cellular_component