Which feature is true of cellulose and accounts for its strength?
Correct answer: B. It has OH groups that form hydrogen bonds with adjacent cellulose molecules
- A. It contains both α-1, 4 and α-1, 6 links between glucose units
- B. It has OH groups that form hydrogen bonds with adjacent cellulose molecules
- C. It is a fibrous molecule that is insoluble in water
- D. It is made up of long, branched and coiled chains of β-glucose units with 1, 4 links
Explanation
Cellulose is a polysaccharide consisting of β-glucose units linked by β-1, 4 glycosidic bonds. The hydroxyl (OH) groups on these glucose units form hydrogen bonds with OH groups on adjacent cellulose chains. This extensive hydrogen bonding network results in a rigid, strong structure capable of withstanding mechanical stress, which is why cellulose is a key structural component in plant cell walls.Option A is incorrect because α-1, 4 and α-1, 6 linkages are characteristics of starch, not cellulose. Option C correctly describes some properties of cellulose but does not explain the strength derived from hydrogen bonding. Option D incorrectly describes cellulose as branched and coiled; it is actually linear, and its strength arises from its linear nature and the hydrogen bonding between chains.
Report an error
The more specific you are, the faster it gets fixed. A source beats an opinion.
Prefer email? [email protected]
About Biological Molecules
The chapter covers water's polarity and biological roles, carbohydrates, lipids, proteins and nucleic acids, including their monomers, bonds, structures and functions. It also distinguishes RNA from DNA and explains conjugated molecules such as glycoproteins, glycolipids and nucleoproteins, which combine organic molecules with a non-protein component.
Practise Biological Molecules
1,790 free Biological Molecules MCQs from Biology, each with the correct answer and an explanation. Unlimited attempts, no account needed.
Discussion
Stuck on an option, or know a faster way to get there? Ask or explain it here.
No comments yet. Be the first to explain this one.
Exams that ask Biology questions like this
Biology is on 8 papers prepared for on TestUstad, and all of them draw the same bank, so this question is worth knowing for every one of them.
More Biological Molecules questions
Compared to globular proteins, fibrous proteins are:
Which feature is not characteristic of cellulose?
The table shows some differences between glucose and a triglyceride. Which difference explains the fact that glucose is soluble in water, while the triglyceride is insoluble in water?
Which formula is a carbohydrate?
The following statements describe the structure of a certain protein molecule.1-The molecule consists of two polypeptide chains which are folded around each other.2-In each chain, the amino acids are held in a helix by hydrogen bonds.Which orders of structure are described by these statements?
The diagram represents a tripeptide.At which bonds does hydrolysis occur to release the amino acids from the tripeptide?