What type of carbohydrate is Cellulose?

Cellulose is classified as a polysaccharide that plays a crucial role in the supportive structure of plants. It is composed of long chains of glucose molecules linked together through β(1→4) glycosidic bonds, which gives it a rigid structure and contributes to the cell wall's integrity in plants. This structural component is vital for maintaining plant shape and protecting against environmental stresses, making cellulose a key player in plant biology and ecology.

Other classifications of carbohydrates such as monosaccharides, disaccharides, and oligosaccharides refer to different types of sugars based on the number of sugar units they contain. Monosaccharides are single sugar molecules (like glucose or fructose), disaccharides consist of two linked monosaccharides (such as sucrose), and oligosaccharides are short chains typically made up of 3 to 10 monosaccharides. In contrast, cellulose, as a polysaccharide, is characterized by its multiple sugar units organized into complex structures, thus setting it apart from the simpler forms of carbohydrates.