Table of contents

1. Introduction to Biology2h 42m
2. Chemistry3h 37m
3. Water1h 26m
4. Biomolecules2h 23m
5. Cell Components2h 26m
6. The Membrane2h 31m
7. Energy and Metabolism2h 0m
8. Respiration2h 40m
9. Photosynthesis2h 49m
10. Cell Signaling59m
11. Cell Division2h 47m
12. Meiosis2h 0m
13. Mendelian Genetics4h 44m
14. DNA Synthesis2h 27m
15. Gene Expression3h 6m
16. Regulation of Expression3h 31m
17. Viruses37m
- Viruses
  37m
18. Biotechnology2h 58m
19. Genomics17m
- Genomes
  17m
20. Development1h 5m
21. Evolution3h 1m
22. Evolution of Populations3h 53m
23. Speciation1h 37m
24. History of Life on Earth2h 6m
25. Phylogeny2h 31m
26. Prokaryotes4h 59m
27. Protists1h 12m
28. Plants1h 22m
29. Fungi36m
- Fungi
  19m
- Fungi Reproduction
  17m
30. Overview of Animals34m
- Overview of Animals
  34m
31. Invertebrates1h 2m
32. Vertebrates50m
33. Plant Anatomy1h 3m
34. Vascular Plant Transport1h 2m
- Water Potential
  1h 2m
35. Soil37m
- Soil and Nutrients
  20m
- Nitrogen Fixation
  16m
36. Plant Reproduction47m
- Flowers
  33m
- Seeds
  14m
37. Plant Sensation and Response1h 9m
38. Animal Form and Function1h 19m
39. Digestive System1h 10m
- Digestion
  1h 3m
- Blood Sugar Homeostasis
  7m
40. Circulatory System1h 49m
41. Immune System1h 12m
42. Osmoregulation and Excretion50m
- Osmoregulation and Excretion
  50m
43. Endocrine System1h 4m
- Endocrine System
  1h 4m
44. Animal Reproduction1h 2m
- Animal Reproduction
  1h 2m
45. Nervous System1h 55m
- Neurons and Action Potentials
  1h 8m
- Central and Peripheral Nervous System
  46m
46. Sensory Systems46m
- Sensory System
  46m
47. Muscle Systems23m
- Musculoskeletal System
  23m
48. Ecology3h 11m
49. Animal Behavior28m
- Animal Behavior
  28m
50. Population Ecology3h 41m
51. Community Ecology2h 46m
52. Ecosystems2h 36m
53. Conservation Biology24m
- Conservation Biology
  24m

4. Biomolecules

Carbohydrates

General Biology

4. Biomolecules

Carbohydrates

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2:46 minutes

Problem 3

Textbook Question

What holds cellulose molecules together in bundles large enough to form fibers?
a. The cell wall
b. Peptide bonds
c. Hydrogen bonds
d. Hydrophobic interactions

Verified step by step guidance

Understand the structure of cellulose: Cellulose is a polysaccharide composed of glucose units linked by β(1→4) glycosidic bonds. It is a major component of plant cell walls.

Recognize the nature of cellulose molecules: Cellulose molecules are linear and can form strong intermolecular interactions due to their hydroxyl groups.

Identify the type of interaction: The hydroxyl groups on the glucose units of cellulose can form hydrogen bonds with hydroxyl groups on adjacent cellulose molecules.

Consider the role of hydrogen bonds: Hydrogen bonds are strong enough to hold cellulose molecules together in bundles, contributing to the formation of fibers.

Eliminate other options: Peptide bonds are found in proteins, not cellulose. Hydrophobic interactions occur between nonpolar molecules, which is not applicable to cellulose. The cell wall is a structure that contains cellulose but does not hold the molecules together.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Cellulose Structure

Cellulose is a polysaccharide consisting of a linear chain of several hundred to over ten thousand β(1→4) linked D-glucose units. It is a major component of plant cell walls and provides structural support. The linear chains allow for the formation of strong fibers, which are essential for the rigidity and strength of plant structures.

Hydrogen Bonds

Hydrogen bonds are weak interactions that occur when a hydrogen atom covalently bonded to a more electronegative atom, like oxygen or nitrogen, experiences an attraction to another electronegative atom. In cellulose, hydrogen bonds form between hydroxyl groups of adjacent glucose molecules, holding the cellulose chains together in a parallel arrangement, which contributes to the formation of strong fibers.

Fiber Formation in Cellulose

The formation of cellulose fibers involves the aggregation of cellulose chains into microfibrils, which are further bundled into larger fibers. This process is facilitated by hydrogen bonds between the chains, which provide the necessary cohesion and strength. These fibers are crucial for the structural integrity of plant cell walls, enabling them to withstand various mechanical stresses.

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Related Practice

Textbook Question

What are three ways monosaccharides differ from one another?

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Textbook Question

The enzyme amylase can break glycosidic linkages between glucose monomers only if the monomers are in the α form. Which of the following could amylase break down?

a. glycogen, starch, and amylopectin

b. glycogen and cellulose

c. cellulose and chitin

d. starch, chitin, and cellulose

3802

views

Textbook Question

A glucose molecule is to starch as (Explain your answer.)

a. A steroid is to a lipid

b. A protein is to an amino acid

c. A nucleic acid is to a polypeptide

d. A nucleotide is to a nucleic acid

2452

views

Textbook Question

What type of bond is formed between two sugars in a disaccharide?

a. Glycosidic linkage

b. Phosphodiester bond

c. Peptide bond

d. Hydrogen bond

1801

views

Textbook Question

Cows can derive nutrients from cellulose because

a. They produce enzymes that recognize the shape of the glucose-glucose bonds and hydrolyze them.

b. They re-chew their cud to break down cellulose fibers.

c. Their digestive tract contains microorganisms that can hydrolyze the bonds of cellulose.

d. They convert cellulose to starch and can digest starch.

2152

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Textbook Question

What are the primary functions of carbohydrates in cells?

a. Cell identity, energy storage, raw material source for synthesis, and structure

b. Catalysis, energy storage, metabolism, and structure

c. Catalysis, digestion, energy storage, and information storage

d. Energy storage, information storage, polymerization, and raw material source for synthesis

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Textbook Question

Which of the differences listed here could be found among molecules of the same monosaccharide? Select True or False for each statement.

T/F There is a difference in the orientation of a hydroxyl group in the ring form.

T/F There is a difference in the number of carbons.

T/F There is a difference in the position of the carbonyl group in the linear form.

T/F There is a difference in the overall shape of the molecule—one is a ring and the other is linear.

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Textbook Question

Choose the term that correctly describes the relationship between these two sugar molecules:

a. Structural isomers

b. Cis-trans isomers

c. Enantiomers

d. Isotopes

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What holds cellulose molecules together in bundles large enough to form fibers? a. The cell wall b. Peptide bonds c. Hydrogen bonds d. Hydrophobic interactions

Key Concepts

Cellulose Structure

Hydrogen Bonds

Fiber Formation in Cellulose

Watch next

What holds cellulose molecules together in bundles large enough to form fibers?
a. The cell wall
b. Peptide bonds
c. Hydrogen bonds
d. Hydrophobic interactions