∞ generated and posted on 2016.08.18 ∞
Polymers of glucose that serve as structural molecules in green plants and certain algae.
Cellulose is consist of a different anomeric form of glucose than that which makes up starches, resulting in substantially different properties and, as a consequence of those properties, no other organic compound is more prevalent on Earth. In particular, it is the primary component of plant cell walls.
Figure legend: Cellulose consists of linear chains of glucose moieties connected together by what are known β-1,4-glycosidic linkages.
We are perhaps most familiar with cellulose as an aspect of dietary fiber though it also is a key component of such things as paper and wood.