We explain what cellulose is, what its function, properties and uses are. Also, what is the history of its discovery.
What is cellulose?
cellulose It is an organic chemical compound very common in the plant kingdom and in some beings of the protist kingdom. Consequently, it constitutes the most abundant biomolecule on our planet.
It is a biopolymer, that is, a long chain of carbohydrates, composed exclusively of glucose molecules (β-glucose) linked together by hydrogen bonds. It is described by the chemical formula C6h10EITHER5.
cellulose It is synthesized by plants and it constitutes one of its fundamental compounds, but animals do not have the necessary enzymes to digest it (cellulase). Human beings cannot feed on it either, although we do have many industrial uses for this compound.
However, ruminants and other vegetarian animals have bacteria and microorganisms in their stomachs that do have it and help them digest the plant content.
On the other hand, cellulose can be found in the very structure of plant cells, or in different fibers and plant products, such as cotton (made of 90% cellulose).
See also: Macromolecules
History of cellulose
The French chemist Anselme Payen (1795-1871) discovered cellulose in 1838 from his work with cotton, potatoes and paper, thus managing to isolate it and determine its chemical formula. Since then it has been used in the production of fibers and commercial substances, such as celluloid, a thermoplastic polymer obtained for the first time in 1856, under the name parkesin.
Function of cellulose
The main function of cellulose in plant tissues is support, that is, it It is part of the cell wall of plant cells in a proportion of 40%. Wood, for example, has 50% cellulose, and cotton 90%.
As we said before, animals cannot extract their energy from cellulose (contained in the form of glucose) since we cannot naturally carry out the hydrolysis of this molecule (that is, its chemical breakdown).
However, many microorganisms and fungi are capable of decomposing it and through the degradation of the cellulose of wood, leaves, stems (or cardboard, paper and other products derived from it), thus fulfilling an important ecological role.
Properties of cellulose
Cellulose is made up of the union of smaller organic sugar units, that is, saccharides, into a long and compact chain. It is insoluble in water and alcohol and has a very variable molecular weight.
Like other carbohydrates of biological origin, cellulose it's fuel reacting with strong oxidants exothermically, which explains the ease with which forest fires spread.
Uses of cellulose
Being so easy to obtain by natural or artificial means, cellulose is one of the most processed raw materials in the world, especially in the manufacture of papers, cardboard, artificial wood, natural fibers, artificial silk or celluloid.
It is also used as thermal and acoustic insulation as varnish and is even used to make explosives (nitrocellulose).
Continue with: Organic matter
References
- “Cellulose” on Wikipedia.
- “Celulose” in Encyclopedia.us.
- “Celulose” in Quimica.es.
- “What is cellulose?” on BBC Bitesize.
- “Cellulose (plant cell structure)” in The Encyclopaedia Britannica.