Every living being has its sources of energy, and there are different activities and processes involved in the production of energy. Carbohydrates, Proteins, Fats, Vitamins, and minerals are the main sources of energy for humans.
Key Takeaways
- Glucose is a simple sugar used by the body as a source of energy, while cellulose is a complex carbohydrate that makes up the cell walls of plants.
- Glucose is a monosaccharide easily broken down by the body during digestion, while cellulose is a polysaccharide that humans do not easily digest.
- Glucose is found in many foods and is an essential component of the body’s metabolic processes, while cellulose is an important structural component of plant cells.
Glucose vs Cellulose
Glucose is a simple sugar and a form of carbohydrate that is directly absorbed into the bloodstream during digestion and used by the body for energy. Cellulose is a complex carbohydrate and the primary component of plant cell walls, which cannot be digested by human digestive enzymes.
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Glucose is also known as dextrose. It is a part of carbohydrate groups called simple sugars. These simple sugars are called Monosaccharides.
Cellulose linked D-glucose refers to an organic compound found in Plants. For green plants, it is an important constituent of the structure of the primary cell wall.
Comparison Table
| Parameters of Comparison | Glucose | Cellulose |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturing Process | The process of photosynthesis is used for the production of Glucose. | After the dissolution of glucose as energy and storage in the form of starch, cellulose is made from the chains of glucose. |
| Form | Simple sugar is another term used while referring to Glucose. | A complex carbohydrate is another term used while referring to Cellulose. |
| Usage | Energy or stored energy in plants that assists them in their growth and development is obtained from glucose. | Cellulose acts as a strengthening agent for a plant as it helps make roots, stems, and leaves strong. |
| Absorption & Digestion | Absorption and Digestion of glucose are easy for all organisms. | Absorption and Digestion of glucose are easy for plants but not all organisms. |
| Human Diet | Glucose has proven to be a source of energy in the human diet as well. | For a human diet, Cellulose has proven not to be a source of energy. |
What is Glucose?
The term ‘Glucose’ has been derived from ‘glyks’, a Greek word meaning ‘sweet’. Photosynthesis is a process in which plants produce their food with the help of carbon dioxide, water, chlorophyll, and sunlight.
Glucose is a part of complex carbohydrates but is commonly regarded as a simple sugar. The presence of Glucose in carbohydrate and starchy foods such as potatoes and bread is abundant.
Glucose is stored in the form of starch in plants and is found in the sap. Plants use glucose for energy and the development of various parts, including roots, stems, leaves, and fruits.
What is Cellulose?
The term ‘Cellulose’ has been derived from ‘cellula’, a Latin word meaning ‘biological cell’—the process of photosynthesis results in the formation of glucose.
Cellulose is a crucial part of a plant body and a very common organic compound. And in general, it is found in the cell wall of a plant. The long chains of glucose are called polysaccharides.
Cellulose is also widely used by humans for making different things. For example, it is used for manufacturing clothing materials, including cotton and jute, making paper, cellophane, and even explosives.
Main Differences Between Glucose and Cellulose
- Absorption and digestion of Glucose are simple for plants as well as humans and animals. On the contrary, absorption and digestion of Cellulose are simple for plants but not for humans and animals.
- Glucose can be a source of energy for the human diet, but cellulose cannot.
- https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/abs/10.1161/01.cir.99.4.578
- https://inis.iaea.org/search/search.aspx?orig_q=RN:17038890
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Piyush Yadav has spent the past 25 years working as a physicist in the local community. He is a physicist passionate about making science more accessible to our readers. He holds a BSc in Natural Sciences and Post Graduate Diploma in Environmental Science. You can read more about him on his bio page.
