Cellulose is a complex carbohydrate and a key structural component of plant cell walls. It is composed of linear chains of glucose molecules linked by β-1,4-glycosidic bonds.
5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test
Cellulose is the most abundant organic polymer on Earth.
Humans cannot digest cellulose because they lack the enzyme cellulase.
Cellulose provides rigidity and strength to plant cell walls.
It plays a crucial role in the dietary fiber content of food, aiding in digestion.
Microorganisms like bacteria in the guts of herbivores can break down cellulose.
Review Questions
Related terms
Starch: A storage polysaccharide in plants consisting of glucose monomers joined by α-1,4-glycosidic bonds.