MedVision ad

Structure of cellulose! (1 Viewer)

Dragie

Member
Joined
Dec 1, 2005
Messages
185
Location
Bumtown
Gender
Female
HSC
2006
Ok...What exactly is the structure of cellulose? The only thing I know about it is that it makes up biomass...or something lol but obviously I need more. I don't understand much on glucose either. Sugar sucks lol...but seriously any help would be much appreciated!! :)
 
P

pLuvia

Guest
Cellulose is a biopolymer also a condensation polymer, a biological polymer i.e. comes from biomass. It is a polymer of the monomer glucose going through a condensation reaction (basically a dehydration reaction which includes the catalyst concentrated sulfuric acid as the catalyst) which is the removal of small molecules usually water molecules.

The chemical formula of glucose is C6H12O6
Where as cellulose has the formula HO - C6H10O4 - OH
 

Riviet

.
Joined
Oct 11, 2005
Messages
5,593
Gender
Undisclosed
HSC
N/A
In cellulose, every second glucose molecule has been "inverted". As a result, cellulose is an unbranched glucose polymer, whose monomer units are joined in a way to create a very linear molecule.
Cellulose is a very strong substance, as shown by the strength of wood and other plant materials. This is due to the linear chain formed that is optimal for the construction of fibres with a very high tensile strength.
 

Users Who Are Viewing This Thread (Users: 0, Guests: 1)

Top