cellulose
Wood's structural carbohydrate
Cellulose is the main structural component of plant cell walls, a carbohydrate that gives wood, cotton, and paper their fibrous strength.
It's the most abundant organic compound on Earth, yet humans cannot digest it—what we call dietary fiber is largely cellulose passing through unabsorbed.
Industrially, cellulose is processed into paper, textiles, and various plastics and films.
The cellulose in vegetables adds bulk to your diet without adding calories.
Soft wet mass
- woodchipsShredded timber fragments
- kraftStrong unbleached paper
- bleachingChemical color removal
- newsprintLow-grade printing paper
cardstock · bond · recycling · sizing · calendering · coating · watermark · rag paper
Tree-derived building material
jute · sisal · straw · grass · bark · stem · photosynthesis · chlorophyll
Plant fiber for textiles
- linenFlax-derived textile
- rayonSemi-synthetic cellulose textile
- viscoseRegenerated cellulose textile
- acetateVinegar-derived compound
lyocell · modal · bamboo fiber · hemp cloth · fabric · yarn · thread · spinning
Chained sugar molecule
- glucosePrimary cellular fuel
- biopolymerNaturally produced macromolecule
- crystallinityStructural atomic order degree
- amorphousWithout distinct shape
lignin · pectin · hydrogen bond · matrix · scaffold · rigidity · tensile strength · fibril
Plant-based digestive aid
- roughageIndigestible food matter
- branCereal grain husk
- insoluble fiberNon-dissolving dietary plant matter
- digestionBodily food breakdown
gut health · bulk · bowel movement · colon · prebiotic · constipation · psyllium · flaxseed
Drinkable volatile spirit
- fermentationMicrobial sugar conversion
- biogasFuel from anaerobic decomposition
- biomassLiving material in aggregate
- biorefineryBiomass conversion facility
Able to decompose naturally
- decomposeBreak into simpler parts
- microorganismsMicroscopic living entities
- bacteriaNucleus-free single-celled organisms
- fungiSpore-reproducing decomposers
composting · degradation · renewable · sustainable · eco-friendly · decomposers · organic waste · carbon cycle
Acid-treated cellulose compound
- cellophaneTransparent wrapping material
- spongeAbsorbent cleaning material
- filterPorous separation device
- thickenerSubstance adding viscosity
emulsifier · food additive · coating · film
pulp
Soft wet mass
newsprint · cardstock · bond · recycling · sizing · calendering · coating · watermark · rag paper · paperboard
wood
Tree-derived building material
flax · jute · sisal · straw · grass · bark · stem · photosynthesis · chlorophyll · vegetation
cotton
Plant fiber for textiles
acetate · lyocell · modal · bamboo fiber · hemp cloth · fabric · yarn · thread · spinning · weaving
polysaccharide
Chained sugar molecule
- glucosePrimary cellular fuel
- biopolymerNaturally produced macromolecule
- crystallinityStructural atomic order degree
amorphous · lignin · pectin · hydrogen bond · matrix · scaffold · rigidity · tensile strength · fibril
fiber
Plant-based digestive aid
- roughageIndigestible food matter
- branCereal grain husk
- insoluble fiberNon-dissolving dietary plant matter
digestion · gut health · bulk · bowel movement · colon · prebiotic · constipation · psyllium · flaxseed · wholegrain
ethanol
Drinkable volatile spirit
- fermentationMicrobial sugar conversion
- biogasFuel from anaerobic decomposition
- biomassLiving material in aggregate
compostable
Able to decompose naturally
- decomposeBreak into simpler parts
- microorganismsMicroscopic living entities
- bacteriaNucleus-free single-celled organisms
fungi · composting · degradation · renewable · sustainable · eco-friendly · decomposers · organic waste · carbon cycle
nitrocellulose
Acid-treated cellulose compound
- cellophaneTransparent wrapping material
- spongeAbsorbent cleaning material
- filterPorous separation device
thickener · emulsifier · food additive · coating · film
- nutrientsprotein, vitamins, fats, minerals, vitamin
- organic compoundshydrocarbon, alcohol, alkane, ethane, propane
- Glucansbeta-glucan, dextran, glycogen, starch, amylose
- glucose compoundsglucose, dextrose, glucoside, gluconate, glucosamine
- polymerspolymer, elastomers, monomer, polyurethane foam, silicone rubber
- Cotton Compoundscottonseed oil, cotton fiber
- cellulose breakdownDegradation of plant fiber
- cellulose nitrateNitrated plant fiber polymer