Which substance gives strength and protection to plant cells?

Which substance gives strength and protection to plant cells?

• A. Chlorophyll
• B. Starch
• C. Cellulose
• D. Sugar

Answer: (C)

The substance that gives strength and protection to plant cells is cellulose. Cellulose is a complex carbohydrate and a major component of the cell wall in plants. It is a polysaccharide made up of long chains of glucose molecules, which provides structural support and rigidity to the plant cell. This allows plants to maintain shape, resist external pressures, and protect internal structures from physical damage and pathogens. In addition to providing strength, the presence of cellulose in the cell wall is crucial for maintaining turgor pressure. Turgor pressure is the pressure of the cell's contents against the cell wall, which helps keep the plant upright and ensures that it can capture sunlight effectively for photosynthesis. In contrast, chlorophyll is a pigment crucial for photosynthesis, starch serves primarily as an energy storage molecule, and sugars are generally involved in energy transport and metabolism rather than providing structural support. Therefore, cellulose is the correct answer as it fulfills the role of giving plant cells their strength and protective properties.

The substance that gives strength and protection to plant cells is cellulose. Cellulose is a complex carbohydrate and a major component of the cell wall in plants. It is a polysaccharide made up of long chains of glucose molecules, which provides structural support and rigidity to the plant cell. This allows plants to maintain shape, resist external pressures, and protect internal structures from physical damage and pathogens.

In addition to providing strength, the presence of cellulose in the cell wall is crucial for maintaining turgor pressure. Turgor pressure is the pressure of the cell's contents against the cell wall, which helps keep the plant upright and ensures that it can capture sunlight effectively for photosynthesis.

In contrast, chlorophyll is a pigment crucial for photosynthesis, starch serves primarily as an energy storage molecule, and sugars are generally involved in energy transport and metabolism rather than providing structural support. Therefore, cellulose is the correct answer as it fulfills the role of giving plant cells their strength and protective properties.