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Multiple Choice
Plant cell walls contain which of the following in abundance?
A
Cellulose
B
Glycogen
C
Peptidoglycan
D
Chitin
Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand the structure and function of plant cell walls: Plant cell walls provide structural support and protection. They are primarily composed of polysaccharides, which are long chains of sugar molecules.
Identify the key polysaccharide in plant cell walls: Cellulose is the main structural component of plant cell walls. It is a polymer made of β-glucose molecules linked by β-1,4-glycosidic bonds.
Eliminate incorrect options: Glycogen is a storage polysaccharide found in animals and fungi, not plants. Peptidoglycan is a structural molecule found in bacterial cell walls. Chitin is a polysaccharide found in fungal cell walls and the exoskeletons of arthropods.
Confirm the correct answer: Cellulose is abundant in plant cell walls and is responsible for their rigidity and strength.
Relate the concept to broader biological importance: Cellulose is not digestible by humans due to the lack of enzymes to break β-1,4-glycosidic bonds, but it serves as dietary fiber and is broken down by certain microorganisms in herbivores.