Cellulose
- Unlike starch and glycogen, cellulose is made of beta glucose as opposed to alpha glucose
- This causes a major structural and hence functional difference in cellulose
- The -OH and -H groups on a single carbon molecule are in the opposite positions than where they are in alpha glucoses
- In order to form glycosidic bonds, the glucose molecules are rotated 180degrees. This causes the -CH2OH groups alternate being above then below the chain
- The straight, unbranched chains of cellulose allow hydrogen bonds to form between the parallel chains. The number of these hydrogen bonds collectively contribute to the strength of cellulose
- Cellulose molecules are grouped together to form microfibrils which are arranged in parallel groups called fibres
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