Plant Cell Walls - 10
311 Syllabus

Primary Wall Components

Cellulose (Beta 1-4 Glucose)

Long Polymers

The long cellulose Molecules are Stabilized by Hydrogen Bonds and form  Microfibrils.

A Hydrogen Bond is a weak bond that develops between a Hydrogen Atom (attached to an Oxygen or Nitrogen Atom) and another Oxygen or Nitrogen Atom.

Hydrogen Bonds occur between Water molecules which have + & - poles.

Individual Hydrogen Bonds are weak. However, many Hydrogen Bonds can constitute a strong force.

Cellulose Molecfules are very long and can form many H-Bonds which stabilizes them and allows them to form Microfibrils which contain many Cellulose Molecules.

A Microfibril is like a stack of Lumber. The individual boards are Cellulose Molecules.

Hemicellulose (Glucose is one major component)

This material is Flexible & It Bind to Cellulose & helps to Stabilize it.

This diagram shows the way in which Glucose molecules combine to form Cellulose Molecules (Top). Many Cellulose Molecules aggregate to form Fibrils of various sizes. Many of these Microfibrils combine to make Cell Walls.