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
To 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 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
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.