Cellulose
Science: KS3, topic 1.1.10
Cellulose
Cellulose is an organic compound with the formula C₆H₁₂O₅. Cellulose is an insoluble carbohydrate that makes up plant cell walls.
Cellulose as a Polymer
- A polymer is a large chain of repeating parts.
- These parts are called monomers.
- The monomer that is repeated in cellulose is C₆H₁₂O₅.
- 6 carbon atoms
- 12 hydrogen atoms
- 5 oxygen atoms
Cellulose in Plants
- Cellulose is the main component of plant cell walls.
- The plant cell walls keep the plant rigid so it will remain upright.
- Plant cell walls were discovered by a French scientist called Anselme Payen in 1838.
Cellulose in digestion
- Cellulose is a fibre and can not be digested by humans.
- Humans lack the enzyme cellulase.
- Cellulase breaks down cellulose into glucose.
- Even though humans cannot break it down, cellulose is used in the human body to aid digestion.
- Animals such as cows and sheep have bacteria called ruminococcus that digest cellulose.
Cellulose in paper
- Cellulose is used in making paper.
- Cellulose is found naturally in materials such as cotton.
Test yourself on Cellulose
What bacteria do cows and sheep carry that helps them break down cellulose?
Select the correct statement in each pair
Humans lack the enzyme cellulase. What happens to cellulose after a person eats it?
Plant cell walls contain cellulose, which keeps the cell wall rigid so the plant stays upright. What would most likely happen to a plant if its cell walls contained much less cellulose?