Cellulose

Question 1

Cellulose is a

Answer 1

polysaccharide

Question 2

polysaccharide are

Answer 2

are macromolecules that are polymers formed by many monosaccharides joined by glycosidic bonds in a condensation reaction to form chains.

Question 3

These chains may be:

Answer 3

Branched or unbranched

Folded (making the molecule compact which is ideal for storage, eg. starch and glycogen)

Straight (making the molecules suitable to construct cellular structures, eg. cellulose) or coiled
Polysaccharides are insoluble in water

Question 4

Cellulose – structure
Is a polymer consisting of long chains of

Answer 4

β-glucose joined together by 1,4 glycosidic bonds

As β-glucose is an isomer of α-glucose to form the 1,4 glycosidic bonds consecutive β-glucose molecules must be rotated 180° to each other

Question 5

Due to the inversion of the β-glucose molecules many hydrogen bonds which give it …..

Answer 5

the long chains giving cellulose it’s strength

Question 6

Cellulose – function

Answer 6

Cellulose is the main structural component of cell walls due to its strength which is a result of the many hydrogen bonds found between the parallel chains of microfibrils

The high tensile strength of cellulose allows it to be stretched without breaking which makes it possible for cell walls to withstand turgor pressure

The cellulose fibres and other molecules (eg. lignin) found in the cell wall form a matrix which increases the strength of the cell walls

The strengthened cell walls provides support to the plant

Question 7

Cellulose function (transport wise

Answer 7

Cellulose fibres are freely permeable which allows water and solutes to leave or reach the cell surface membrane

Question 8

Cellulose structure (fibre)

Answer 8

As few organisms have the enzyme (cellulase) to hydrolyse cellulose it is a source of fibre