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  1. 1-1-biological-molecules-carbohydrates
    11 主题
  2. 1-2-biological-molecules-lipids
    3 主题
  3. 1-3-biological-molecules-proteins
    5 主题
  4. 1-4-proteins-enzymes
    12 主题
  5. 1-5-nucleic-acids-structure-and-dna-replication
    8 主题
  6. 1-6-atp-water-and-inorganic-ions
    4 主题
  7. 2-1-cell-structure
    7 主题
  8. 2-2-the-microscope-in-cell-studies
    4 主题
  9. 2-3-cell-division-in-eukaryotic-and-prokaryotic-cells
    8 主题
  10. 2-4-cell-membranes-and-transport
    9 主题
  11. 2-5-cell-recognition-and-the-immune-system
    7 主题
  12. 2-6-vaccines-disease-and-monoclonal-antibodies
    6 主题
  13. 3-1-adaptations-for-gas-exchange
    6 主题
  14. 3-2-human-gas-exchange
    14 主题
  15. 3-3-digestion-and-absorption
    5 主题
  16. 3-4-mass-transport-in-animals
    6 主题
  17. 3-5-the-circulatory-system-in-animals
    4 主题
  18. 3-6-mass-transport-in-plants
    6 主题
  19. 4-1-dna-genes-and-chromosomes
    10 主题
  20. 4-2-dna-and-protein-synthesis
    3 主题
  21. 4-3-genetic-diversity-mutations-and-meiosis
    7 主题
  22. 4-4-genetic-diversity-and-adaptation
    6 主题
  23. 4-5-species-and-taxonomy
    4 主题
  24. 4-6-biodiversity
    9 主题
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Exam code:7401

Cellulose: structure & function

  • Cellulose is a polysaccharide found in plant cells

Structure

  • Cellulose consists of long chains of the monomer 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

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

Diagram comparing beta-glucose and inverted beta-glucose structures, highlighting differences in hydroxyl group positions on carbon ring.
To form the 1,4 glycosidic bond between two β-glucose molecules, the glucose molecules must be rotated to 180° to each other
Chemical structure depicting 1,4 β-glycosidic bonds and hydrogen bonds, illustrating the inversion in polysaccharide chains with numbered carbons.
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

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 provide 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

Diagram showing cellulose structure in a potato plant, detailing cells, cell wall, cellulose fibres, microfibrils, lignin, and bonds contributing to strength.
The strength and insolubility of cellulose fibres mean it is a suitable molecule to construct cell walls

Examiner Tips and Tricks

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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