Cellulose
Definition
Cellulose is a complex carbohydrate, or polysaccharide, that is composed of glucose units and forms the main component of plant cell walls.
Analogy
Think of cellulose like the bricks in a house. Just as bricks provide structure and support to a house, cellulose provides structure and support to plant cells.
Related terms
Polysaccharide: A carbohydrate (e.g., starch, cellulose, or glycogen) whose molecules consist of numerous sugar molecules bonded together.
Glucose: A simple sugar that is an important energy source in living organisms and is a component of many carbohydrates.
Cell Wall: A rigid layer lying outside the plasma membrane of the cells of plants, fungi, and bacteria. In the algae and higher plants it consists mainly of cellulose.
"Cellulose" appears in:
Study guides (4)
Practice Questions (1)
- The cell walls of plants are primarily made of cellulose. What type of organic molecule is cellulose?
Resources
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