BSC 2010C Lecture Notes - Lecture 1: Cellulose, Ultimate Tensile Strength, Carbohydrate
Document Summary
Cellulose is a complex carbohydrate and the most abundant organic compound found in the earth"s biosphere. It is composed of glucose monomers linked together via beta-1,4 glycosidic linkages, which form linear chains. The structure of cellulose is different from that of other carbohydrates like starch and glycogen, which have alpha-1,4 linkages and a branched structure. Cellulose is a major component of plant cell walls and provides rigidity and structural support to the plant. The linear chains of cellulose are arranged in a parallel manner and held together by hydrogen bonds, which form strong microfibrils. These microfibrils aggregate to form larger bundles, which provide the rigidity necessary for the plant to maintain its shape and resist external pressure. Cellulose is not readily hydrolyzed by most organisms, including humans, due to the presence of beta-1,4 linkages. However, some organisms, such as cows and termites, possess specialized enzymes that can break down cellulose into its constituent glucose units.
