Rule of cellulose in wood

Cellulose is a complex carbohydrate and the primary structural component of the cell
walls in plants, including wood. The role of cellulose in wood is crucial for providing
strength and rigidity to plant structures.

.
1.Structural Support: Cellulose fibers are arranged in a highly organized manner,
forming a strong and rigid framework within the cell walls. This arrangement provides
structural support to the plant, allowing it to withstand mechanical stresses such as wind
and gravity.

CELLULOSE ROLE AS A STRUCTURAL SUPPORT

A.Cell Wall Strength:

Cellulose is a major component of the cell walls in plant cells, including those in wood-
forming tissues. The cellulose fibers are arranged in a lattice-like structure, creating a
strong and rigid framework that gives plant cells, and consequently tissues, their
structural integrity.

B.Wood Formation:

The primary structural material in the trunk, branches, and stems of trees is wood, which
consists of specialized cells like tracheids and vessel elements in the xylem. These cells
have thick secondary cell walls that are rich in cellulose.
The cellulose in the cell walls of wood cells provides the necessary strength and rigidity to
support the vertical growth of the tree.

C.Cellulose-Lignin Matrix:

Lignin, another component of cell walls in wood cells, is often found in association with
cellulose. The interaction between cellulose and lignin forms a composite matrix that
enhances the strength and durability of the cell walls.
Lignin helps to fill the spaces between cellulose fibers, providing additional support and
making the wood more resistant to decay and degradation.

D.Turgor Pressure and Cell Expansion:

Cellulose also plays a role in maintaining turgor pressure within plant cells. Turgor
pressure is the pressure exerted by the cell contents against the cell wall, and it
contributes to cell expansion and overall plant growth.
As plant cells take up water, the cellulose-rich cell walls resist excessive expansion and
help maintain turgor pressure, supporting the overall structure of the plant.

E. Flexibility and Growth:

While cellulose provides strength, it also allows for a certain degree of flexibility. This
flexibility is crucial for accommodating the growth of the tree, especially during periods
of rapid elongation and expansion.
.
.
2.Water Absorption and Transport: Cellulose has hydrophilic properties, meaning it can
absorb and hold water. This is important for the transport of water through the plant, as
cellulose helps maintain the integrity of cell walls and prevents collapse under the
pressure exerted by water moving through the plant's vascular system.

PARTS OF PLANT THAT RESPONSIBLE FOR WATER ABSORPTION AND TRANSPORT

Xylem- the vascular tissue that made up of cellulose that responsible to conducts water
and dissolved nutrients upward from the root and also helps to form the woody element in
the stem. Types of cells found in the xylem tissue of plants, have cell walls that are primarily
composed of cellulose:
a. Tracheids- are long, tapering cells with pointed ends. They have secondary cell walls that
are lignified, providing strength and rigidity to the cell.
-The end walls of tracheids have small openings called pits. These pits allow water to
move from one tracheid to another and contribute to the overall transport of water within the
xylem.
b. Vessel elements- are shorter, wider cells with less tapering than tracheids. They also
have lignified secondary cell walls. Vessel elements are stacked end to end to form vessels,
which are more efficient in water transport than tracheids.
-The end walls of vessel elements have larger openings called perforation plates.
These plates facilitate the flow of water between vessel elements, allowing for more efficient
water transport.

CELLULOSE ROLE IN WATER ABSORPTION AND TRANSPORT

Note:Cellulose does not have a direct role in the absorption and transport of water in
plants; instead, it plays a critical role in providing structural support to cells and tissues
involved in these processes.

A.Root Cell Walls:

The outermost layer of root cells, particularly in the root hairs, is covered by cell walls that
contain cellulose. These cell walls provide structural support and shape to the root cells.
The arrangement of cellulose fibers in the cell walls helps maintain the integrity of the
root tissues and prevents collapse under the pressure exerted by water moving into the
roots.

B.Xylem Vessels:

The xylem is the plant tissue responsible for the upward transport of water from the roots
to the rest of the plant. Tracheids and vessel elements, the main water-conducting cells in
the xylem, have cellulose-rich secondary cell walls.
Cellulose, along with lignin and other components, contributes to the strength and
rigidity of these cells, ensuring that they can withstand the tension created by the
transpiration pull, a key factor driving water movement in the xylem.

C.capillary Action:

The small diameter of the cellulose fibers in the cell walls of tracheids and vessel
elements, combined with the cohesive and adhesive properties of water, facilitates
capillary action.
 Capillary action helps in the upward movement of water against gravity through the
narrow spaces within the cellulose-rich cell walls.
D.Hydrophilic Properties:

While cellulose itself does not absorb water, it has hydrophilic properties, meaning it has
an affinity for water. The water absorbed by the surrounding tissue s helps create the conditions
for capillary action and the movement of water through the plan
.
3.Cell Wall Flexibility: Although cellulose provides rigidity to cell walls, it also allows for
a certain degree of flexibility. This flexibility is essential for the growth and expansion of
plant cells.
CELLULOSE ROLE IN CELL WALL FLEXIBILITY

A.Cellulose Microfibril Formation:

Cellulose molecules, composed of linear chains of glucose, form microfibrils. These

microfibrils are organized into bundles, creating a scaffold within the cell wall.
Interaction with Hemicellulose:

Hemicellulose, a branched polysaccharide, interacts with cellulose in the cell wall. This
interaction forms a matrix around cellulose microfibrils, allowing for some flexibility.

B.Water Absorption and Hydration:

Cellulose is hydrophilic, attracting water molecules. When the cell wall absorbs water,
cellulose undergoes hydration, causing it to swell. This swelling contributes to the
softening and increased flexibility of the cell wall.
C. Cell Wall Proteins:

Various proteins associated with cellulose in the cell wall regulate cellulose synthesis and
influence the arrangement of microfibrils. Some proteins act as connectors, influencing
the overall flexibility of the cell wall.

D. Dynamic Reorganization during Growth:

During cell growth and expansion, cellulose microfibrils can dynamically reorganize. This
reorientation allows the cell wall to remain flexible and responsive to the mechanical
demands of growth.

E.Cyclic Loading and Unloading:

Cellulose in the cell wall can undergo cycles of loading and unloading, imparting
elasticity. This elasticity allows the cell wall to deform under stress and return to its
original shape after the stress is removed.
F.Turgor Pressure Maintenance:

Turgor pressure, created by the osmotic entry of water into the cell, contributes to cell
wall expansion. Cellulose in the cell wall resists excessive expansion, maintaining turgor
pressure and supporting cell structure.
G.Plasticity during Mechanical Stress:
 Cellulose's arrangement and the overall cell wall structure provide plasticity, allowing the
cell to deform under mechanical stress without losing its structural integrity.
Adaptation to Environmental Conditions:

The flexibility of the cell wall allows plant cells to adapt to changing environmental
conditions, such as variations in water availability and mechanical stresses.IN CELL WALL
FLEXIBILITY

.
.
5. Renewable Resource: Wood, which contains a significant amount of cellulose, is a
renewable resource. Trees can be harvested and replanted, making cellulose a sustainable
material for various applications, such as construction, paper production, and bioenergy.
CELLULOSE ROLE IN RENEWABLE SOURCES

A.Wood and Biomass:

The primary source of cellulose is wood, which is derived from trees. Trees are renewable
resources because they can be sustainably harvested and replanted. Additionally,
cellulose is present in various forms of biomass, including agricultural residues and
dedicated energy crops.

B.Paper and Pulp Production:

Cellulose is a major component of wood, and it is the primary raw material for the
production of paper and pulp. Trees can be grown as a crop and harvested for paper
production in a sustainable manner, making cellulose a renewable source for the paper
industry.

C. Bioenergy:

Cellulose-rich biomass can be used as a feedstock for bioenergy production. Processes

such as biomass conversion, including anaerobic digestion, fermentation, and
combustion, can generate biofuels and bioelectricity from cellulose-containing materials.

Cellulosic Ethanol:

Cellulose can be converted into biofuels, such as cellulosic ethanol. This process involves
breaking down cellulose into sugars and then fermenting those sugars into ethanol. It
provides an alternative and renewable source of transportation fuel.

D. Cellulose Nanomaterials:

Nanocellulose, derived from cellulose, has unique properties that make it valuable for
various applications in materials science. It can be used in the production of lightweight
composites, films, and coatings, contributing to the development of sustainable materials.
.
6.Biochemical Processes: Cellulose is synthesized by plants through the process of
photosynthesis. It is composed of linear chains of glucose molecules linked together by
β-1,4-glycosidic bonds. The arrangement of these glucose chains contributes to the
unique properties of cellulose.

CELLOLUSE ROLE IN BIOCHEMICAL PROCESSES

A. Photosynthesis:
Cellulose synthesis begins with the process of photosynthesis. During photosynthesis,
plants capture sunlight and convert it into chemical energy, producing glucose as a
primary product. Glucose, in turn, is a building block for cellulose synthesis

B.Biotic and Abiotic Stress Responses:

Cellulose synthesis and deposition can be influenced by various environmental factors

and stresses. Changes in cellulose content and structure may occur in response to biotic
stresses (such as pathogen attacks) or abiotic stresses (such as changes in water
availability).

C.Cellulose Synthesis Enzymes:

The synthesis of cellulose involves several enzymes, including cellulose synthase. These
enzymes are integral to the process of converting glucose molecules into cellulose chains
and facilitating their incorporation into the growing cellulose microfibrils.

D.Biodegradation:

Cellulose is subject to biodegradation by microorganisms like bacteria and fungi.

Enzymes produced by these microorganisms, such as cellulases, break down cellulose
into simpler sugars, contributing to the natural recycling of plant materials.

Properties of cellulose

*Cellulose (70%)… It forms the primary structural component of green plants.

The primary cell wall of green plants are made of cellulose; the secondary wall contains
cellulose with variable amounts of lignin.

*cellulose -constitutes about 40-50 percent of woods and responsible for most wood
properties
-a linear polymer with 5,000-10,000 mers in one molecule
-in wood celloluse form bundles called MICROFIBRILS