Question

Cellulose is made up of how many sugar molecules?

Answer 1

Hint: Carbohydrates are biomolecules that are a common energy source. Carbohydrates are composed of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen molecules. They can be classified into monosaccharides, disaccharides, and polysaccharides. A monosaccharide (glucose, fructose, etc.) is composed of one sugar molecule. Disaccharides (maltose, sucrose, etc.) have two sugar molecules. Polysaccharides (cellulose, glycogen) are composed of carbohydrate monomers (monosaccharide).

Complete answer:
A long chain of glucose monomers, around 3000 or more make up cellulose. Cellulose is an example of a structural polysaccharide. The plant cell wall is made up of cellulose that provides structural support to the plant cell. Since it is only made up of glucose subunit (same type of monomer), it is a linear homopolysaccharide.
Starch is also a polysaccharide composed of glucose. The difference between starch and cellulose is the bonds that connect the two glucose monomers. $\beta $ $1 - 4$ glycosidic bond joins glucose monomers of cellulose. $\alpha $$1 - 4$ glycosidic bonds join glucose monomers of starch.
Cellulose and its derivatives can be utilized for various purposes. Some textile fibres, such as jute and cotton, have a good amount of cellulose present in them. In case of an accident, the windshield of an automobile may break but the pieces do not shatter and fall on the driver or the passenger. Such glasses are made up of cellulose acetate. Explosives are made out of cellulose nitrate.

Note: Human digestive enzymes are not able to digest cellulose as the enzymes can only break $\alpha $ $1 - 4$ glycosidic bonds. However, some animals such as cows have symbiotic bacteria (Ruminococcus) residing in their stomach that produce cellulase. This enzyme can digest cellulose. Therefore, these animals by themselves cannot break down cellulose; they require the help of some microorganisms.