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First teaching 2023

First exams 2025

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Cellulose (CIE AS Biology)

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Cara Head

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Cara Head

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Cellulose: Structure & Function

  • Cellulose is a polysaccharide
  • Polysaccharides are macromolecules that are polymers formed by many monosaccharides joined by glycosidic bonds in a condensation reaction to form chains. These chains may be:
    • Branched or unbranched
    • Folded (making the molecule compact which is ideal for storage, e.g. starch and glycogen)
    • Straight (making the molecules suitable to construct cellular structures, e.g. cellulose) or coiled
    • Polysaccharides are insoluble in water

Cellulose – structure

  • Is a polymer consisting of long chains of 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

Beta Glucose Diagram

2.2.1 Formation of Sugars 1, downloadable IB Biology revision notesTo form the 1,4 glycosidic bond between two β-glucose molecules, the glucose molecules must be rotated to 180° to each other

  • Due to the inversion of the β-glucose molecules many hydrogen bonds form between the long chains giving cellulose it’s strength

Hydrogen Bonds in Cellulose Diagram

Cellulose_ hydrogen bond formation between chains, downloadable IGCSE & GCSE Biology revision notes

Cellulose is used as a structural component due to the strength it has from the many hydrogen bonds that form between the long chains of β-glucose molecules

Cellulose – function

  • 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 (e.g. 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
  • Cellulose fibres are freely permeable which allows water and solutes to leave or reach the cell surface membrane
  • As few organisms have the enzyme (cellulase) to hydrolyse cellulose, it is a source of fibre

Cellulose Diagram

Cellulose_ Structure linking to function of cellulose, downloadable IGCSE & GCSE Biology revision notes

The strength and insolubility of cellulose fibres means it is a suitable molecule to construct cell walls

Examiner Tip

Learn the monomer for cellulose, the arrangement of the glycosidic bond (which is dependent on the position of the OH group on carbon 1 and 4) and that cellulose exists in parallel chains bonded by many hydrogen bonds giving it high mechanical strength.

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Cara Head

Author: Cara Head

Expertise: Biology

Cara graduated from the University of Exeter in 2005 with a degree in Biological Sciences. She has fifteen years of experience teaching the Sciences at KS3 to KS5, and Psychology at A-Level. Cara has taught in a range of secondary schools across the South West of England before joining the team at SME. Cara is passionate about Biology and creating resources that bring the subject alive and deepen students' understanding