Question

plants produce the polysaccharide cellulose, which provides structural support for cell walls. cellulose is made from many glucose monosaccharides linked side by side in a long chain. these long chains pack together in parallel rows.

cellulose’s structure gives it strength and rigidity and makes it difficult to break down. in fact, while animals consume cellulose whenever they eat plants, most animals cannot actually digest cellulose. in humans, cellulose helps push food through the digestive tract and supports gut health. people call cellulose in foods dietary fiber.

image of cellulose structure and fibers

describe the structure and function of cellulose. select the true statements.

• the long, parallel polymer chains in cellulose provide structure for cell walls.
• cellulose contains carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen.
• cellulose is easily digested by most animals.
• cellulose is made from many units of the monosaccharide glucose.

Explanation:

1. From the passage: "Plants produce the polysaccharide cellulose, which provides structural support for cell walls... These long chains pack together in parallel rows" → supports the first statement.
2. The chemical structure of glucose (and thus cellulose, a glucose polymer) includes C, H, O → supports the second statement.
3. From the passage: "Cellulose is made from many glucose monosaccharides linked side by side in a long chain" → supports the third statement.
4. From the passage: "most animals cannot actually digest cellulose" → the fourth statement is false.

Answer:

The true statements are:

• The long, parallel polymer chains in cellulose provide structure for cell walls.
• Cellulose contains carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen.
• Cellulose is made from many units of the monosaccharide glucose.

(Note: The statement "Cellulose is easily digested by most animals" is false, as the passage states "most animals cannot actually digest cellulose".)