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Cellulose is a complex carbohydrate and the most abundant organic compound on Earth, primarily found in the cell walls of plants. It is a polysaccharide, consisting of a linear chain of several hundred to over ten thousand β(1→4) linked D-glucose units. Cellulose is a homopolymer of glucose, making it a homopolysaccharide. It is a straight-chain polymer, which gives it a high degree of crystallinity and makes it resistant to degradation by enzymes and microorganisms.

Cellulose is a key component of the cell walls of plants, providing structural support and rigidity. It is also found in the cell walls of many microorganisms, such as bacteria and fungi. In animals, cellulose is not produced, but it can be found in the diet, particularly in plant-based foods.

Cellulose has a wide range of applications in various industries. It is used as a thickening agent and stabilizer in food products, as a filler and reinforcement in paper and textiles, and as a raw material for the production of cellophane and other cellulosic fibers. It is also used in the production of biofuels and as a substrate for the cultivation of microorganisms in biotechnology.

Despite its abundance and usefulness, cellulose is not easily digestible by humans and most animals due to its high degree of crystallinity. However, some microorganisms, such as certain bacteria and fungi, have evolved the ability to break down cellulose into simpler sugars, a process known as cellulose degradation. This ability is harnessed in various industrial processes, such as the production of biofuels and the breakdown of plant biomass for animal feed.