Cellulose

Question 1

What is cellulose made of?

Answer 1

Beta glucose

Question 2

What is it’s structure?

Answer 2

Has straight unbranched chains which run parallel to one another allowing hydrogen bonds to form cross-linkages between adjacent chains

Question 3

What happens when cellulose groups together?

Answer 3

Forms microfibrils and in then are arranged in parallel groups called fibres

Question 4

What is cellulose a major component of?

Answer 4

Plant cell walls and provides rigidity to the plant cell. Also prevents the cell from bursting as water enters by osmosis

Question 5

How does the structure of cellulose is suited to its function as a structural polysaccharide?

Answer 5

Made of beta glucose and so forms long straight, unbranched chains
Run parallel to each other and are cross linked by hydrogen bonds so strength
Microfibrils grouped to form fibres which provides strength

Question 6

What happens to every second Glucose molecules?

Answer 6

Every 2nd glucose molecule is rotated 180degrees. This produces a linear chain (contrast to the helical chain in starch)