cellulose
Meaning of cellulose: Cellulose is the fibrous carbohydrate forming plant cell walls that passes through the human digestive tract largely undigested.
Definition of cellulose
Cellulose is a complex carbohydrate made of long chains of glucose molecules linked together in a form the human digestive system cannot break down with its own enzymes. It is the main structural material of plant cell walls, giving stems, leaves, and other plant tissue their rigidity.
Because human digestive enzymes cannot split cellulose into absorbable sugar units, it passes largely intact through the stomach and small intestine and reaches the colon as dietary fiber. There, resident bacteria can ferment a portion of it, though most passes through and adds bulk to stool.
This bulking effect helps stool move through the intestine more easily and is one reason diets rich in vegetables, whole grains, and other plant foods are associated with regular bowel function. Cellulose derivatives are also used in some medications and food products as thickening or binding agents.
Used in a sentence
Increasing intake of cellulose rich vegetables was recommended to help ease the patient's constipation.
Good to know
Cellulose is often described simply as indigestible, though gut bacteria can ferment a portion of it, distinguishing its handling from truly inert material that passes through completely unchanged.
Word origin
Where “cellulose” comes from
Formed from Latin cellula, meaning small cell or chamber, combined with the chemical suffix -ose, denoting a sugar or carbohydrate.