Cellulose is made up of a straight chain polymer of glucose. Cellulose the only one of many polysaccharides found in plant cell walls usually accounting for less than half the wall’s dry mass. It gives rigidity to the plant structure much as the skeleton supports to human body.
Plant cells are surrounded by a strong supporting wall made up mainly of cellulose, The cellulose bundles cannot stretch, so the way they are arranged determines the shape and rigidity of the plant cell.
It is not attacked by digestive enzymes of the human and although it provides bulk to the diet it does not contribute significantly to the nutrition of body cells.
It stimulates the flow of the digestive juices as it brushes against the walls of the digestive tract, and thus aids in the digestion of foods and n the elimination of waste material.
Cellulose is completely permeable: it allows water and dissolved substances to enter and leave plant cells freely.
Cellulose tends to be affected little by usual acid hydrolysis and requires the action of strong mineral acids.
Plants also contain indigestible hemicellulose, which are unrelated chemically to cellulose and are homopolysaccharides containing D-xylose.
Some plants rich in cellulose can be eaten in the raw state. But certain fibrous foods, especially cereals or grain, are irritating or eaten in the uncooked condition. It is necessary to soften them if used as food.
What is cellulose?
