Cellulose


Cellulose (C<sub>6</sub>H<sub>10</sub>O<sub>5</sub>)<sub>n</sub> is a polysaccharide of beta-glucose.[1][2] It forms the primary structural component of green plants. The primary cell wall of green plants is made of cellulose; the secondary wall contains cellulose with variable amounts of lignin. It has the molecular wieght of approximately 162 grams/mole. Lignin and cellulose, considered together, are termed lignocellulose, which (as wood) is argued to be one of the most common biopolymers on Earth (chrysolaminarin is often argued to be the other). Only one group of animals, the tunicates, has the ability to create and use cellulose. Some acetic acid bacteria are also known to synthesize cellulose, as well as many forms of algae, and the oomycetes.