Question

Why is cellulose called structural polysaccharide?

Answer 1

1. Cellulose is the most important structural component of the cell wall of plants.
2. Cellulose is a linear polymer of β-D-glucose units connected through β-1,4-glycosidic bonds.
3. These linear chains forms microfibrillae or bundles of parallel chains held together by hydrogen        bonds.
4. This micellar structure gives mechanical strength to cellulose and thereby to the plant cell wall.
5. Hence, cellulose is as a called structural polysaccharide.