B1.1.6

• Cellulose is made of beta glucose that are joined by glycosidic bonds to form long unbranched chains.
• Adjacent glucose molecules can only join if alternate molecules are inverted.
• When beta glucose molecules bond, straight cellulose chains form.
• Cellulose is the major component of cell walls.
• The cellulose chains are linked together by hydrogen to from strong fibres called microfibrils due to the high number of OH groups on the outside of the cellulose chains.
• Bundles of these microfibrils are also cross linked by hydrogen bonds to form macrofibres.
• The strong fibres mean cellulose provides structural support for cells that is very stable.