Carbohydrates

Revision cards on Carbohydrates for AS Biology (OCR)

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  • Created by: Jhyzone
  • Created on: 16-03-10 10:27

AS Biology Carbohydrates - Cellulose

Cellulose is made up of β-GLUCOSE monomers joined together by 1-4 GLYCOSIDIC BOND links.

It forms, straight, unbranched chains, that run parallel to each other and are cross-linked by HYDROGEN BONDS.

These cellulose mmolecules are then grouped together to form MICROFIBRILS, which in turn are grouped into fibres.

Cellulose performs a STRUCTURAL function in plants by giving plant cell wall rigidity.

It also prevents cells from BURSTING when water enters by OSMOSIS.

In this way it keeps herbaceous parts of the plants TURGID so that they provide the maximum surface area for PHOTOSYNTHESIS.

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