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: cellulose structure (molecular diagram) and cellulose fibers (packed parallel chains)

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

• cellulose provides structural support for plant cell walls.
• cellulose is made from many units of the monosaccharide fructose.
• nitrogen is a chemical element found in cellulose.
• cellulose molecules pack together in long, parallel chains.

Explanation:

1. Analyze the first statement: The text says "Plants produce the polysaccharide cellulose, which provides structural support for cell walls." So this statement is true.
2. Analyze the second statement: The text states "Cellulose is made from many glucose monosaccharides linked side by side in a long chain." Glucose, not fructose, is the monosaccharide unit of cellulose. So this statement is false.
3. Analyze the third statement: The chemical formula of cellulose is \((C_6H_{10}O_5)_n\), which contains carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen, but no nitrogen. So this statement is false.
4. Analyze the fourth statement: The text says "These long chains pack together in parallel rows." So this statement is true.

Answer:

• Cellulose provides structural support for plant cell walls.
• Cellulose molecules pack together in long, parallel chains.