Which of the following best describes cellulose?

• A. A disaccharide formed from glucose and fructose
• B. A storage polysaccharide in animals composed of α-glucose units
• C. A structural polysaccharide found in plant cell walls composed of β-glucose units
• D. A monosaccharide used as an immediate energy source

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Begin by understanding the term 'cellulose.' Cellulose is a carbohydrate, specifically a polysaccharide, which is a polymer made up of many monosaccharide units linked together.
2. Step 2: Recall the role of cellulose in biology. It is primarily found in plant cell walls, where it provides structural support due to its strong and rigid nature.
3. Step 3: Examine the type of glucose units that make up cellulose. Cellulose is composed of β-glucose units, which are linked together by β-1,4-glycosidic bonds. This specific linkage gives cellulose its unique properties.
4. Step 4: Compare cellulose to other carbohydrates mentioned in the options. For example, disaccharides like sucrose are composed of two monosaccharides (e.g., glucose and fructose), and storage polysaccharides like glycogen are composed of α-glucose units, not β-glucose units.
5. Step 5: Conclude that the correct description of cellulose is 'A structural polysaccharide found in plant cell walls composed of β-glucose units,' as this matches its biological function and chemical composition.