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Cellulose
Introduction References & Edit History Related Topics
Images & Videos
Two structural diagrams compare glucose and cellulose: on the left, a single glucose molecule in a ring form, and on the right, a cellulose polymer made of repeating glucose units linked in a chain.
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The Relationship Between Photosynthesis and Breathing
At a Glance
Photosynthesis diagram showing how water, light, and carbon dioxide are absorbed by a plant and that oxygen and sugars are produced. Also show a person to illustrate the oxygen/carbon dioxide cycle between plants and animals.
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Cellulose: References & Edit History

Article Contributors

Primary Contributors

  • The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
    Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors.

Other Encyclopedia Britannica Contributors

Article History

Type Description Contributor Date
Article title updated for style. Nov 11, 2026
Modified link of Web site: National Center for Biotechnology Information - PubMed Central - Cellulose Biosynthesis: Current Views and Evolving Concepts. Oct 25, 2026
Add new Web site: Nature - Nature Communications - Preferred crystallographic orientation of cellulose in plant primary cell walls. Mar 21, 2025
Add new Web site: Cell Press - Current Biology - Cellulose synthesis across kingdoms (PDF). Jan 08, 2025
Cross references added. Jul 12, 2024
Add new Web site: Royal Society of Chemistry Publishing - Cellulose processing in ionic liquids from a materials science perspective: turning a versatile biopolymer into the cornerstone of our sustainable future. May 02, 2024
Add new Web site: ACS Publications - Cellulose: A Review of Water Interactions, Applications in Composites, and Water Treatment. Feb 22, 2024
Add new Web site: CORE - A review on systematic study of cellulose (PDF). Dec 22, 2023
Add new Web site: Healthline - Is Cellulose Fiber Safe to Eat? Nov 10, 2023
Add new Web site: Frontiers - Cellulose Biomaterials for Tissue Engineering. Sep 29, 2023
Add new Web site: Chemistry LibreTexts - Starch and Cellulose. Sep 20, 2022
Add new Web site: National Center for Biotechnology Information - PubMed Central - Cellulose Biosynthesis: Current Views and Evolving Concepts. Sep 13, 2022
Add new Web site: BBC Bitesize - Cellulose. Apr 03, 2022
Removed media. Mar 17, 2022
Add new Web site: Chemistry LibreTexts - Cellulose. Nov 13, 2019
Add new Web site: The Spruce Eats - Learn About Cellulose and How It Is Used in Food. Feb 07, 2019
Corrected display issue. Jan 11, 2019
Media added. Apr 13, 2016
New illustration added. Jan 15, 2009
Added new Web site: London South Bank University - Water Structure and Science - Cellulose. Aug 13, 2007
Added new Web site: Sewanee - The University of the South - Cellulose. Aug 13, 2007
Added new Web site: Key Centre for Polymer Colloids - Cellulose. Aug 13, 2007
Added new Web site: University of Hamburg - Cellulose. Aug 13, 2007
Added new Web site: Polymer Science Learning Center - Cellulose. Aug 13, 2007
Article added to new online database. Jul 20, 1998
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