Selluloos

Selluloos is a naturally occurring polymer, a complex carbohydrate that is a major component of the cell walls of plants and algae. It is the most abundant organic polymer on Earth. Chemically, cellulose is a polysaccharide consisting of a linear chain of several hundred to many thousands of beta acetal glucose units. This specific linkage gives cellulose its strength and rigidity.

Humans and most animals cannot digest cellulose due to the lack of the necessary enzyme, cellulase, which breaks down the beta acetal glucose bonds. However, some microorganisms, such as bacteria and fungi, possess cellulase and can break down cellulose. Ruminant animals, like cows, have symbiotic bacteria in their digestive tracts that help them digest cellulose from plant matter.

Cellulose has a wide range of applications. It is a primary component of wood and paper. In industry, it is used to produce various materials, including textiles like cotton and rayon, cellophane, and explosives like nitrocellulose. It is also used as a food additive, a thickener, and a stabilizer in many products. The properties of cellulose, such as its strength, biodegradability, and renewable nature, make it a valuable and versatile material.