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Multiple Choice
Which statement about cellulose is true?
A
Cellulose is highly soluble in water due to its branched structure.
B
Cellulose is easily digested by most animals due to the presence of the enzyme amylase.
C
Cellulose is a polysaccharide composed of β-glucose monomers linked by β(1→4) glycosidic bonds.
D
Cellulose serves as the primary energy storage molecule in animals.
Verified step by step guidance
1
Step 1: Begin by understanding what cellulose is. Cellulose is a polysaccharide, which means it is a carbohydrate composed of many sugar monomers linked together. Specifically, cellulose is made up of β-glucose monomers.
Step 2: Examine the type of bonds in cellulose. The β-glucose monomers in cellulose are linked by β(1→4) glycosidic bonds. This bond type gives cellulose its unique structural properties, making it a key component of plant cell walls.
Step 3: Analyze the solubility of cellulose. Cellulose is not highly soluble in water because its structure is linear and forms strong hydrogen bonds between chains, creating a rigid and insoluble material.
Step 4: Consider the digestibility of cellulose. Most animals cannot digest cellulose because they lack the enzyme cellulase, which is required to break the β(1→4) glycosidic bonds. Amylase, an enzyme that breaks down starch, does not work on cellulose.
Step 5: Evaluate the role of cellulose in organisms. Cellulose does not serve as an energy storage molecule in animals. Instead, it provides structural support in plants. Animals primarily use glycogen for energy storage.