HUMAN NUTRITION

Detailed explanation-1: -Humans are unable to digest cellulose because we lack appropriate enzymes (cellulase) to break down this complex substance, cellulose. Undigestible cellulose is the fibre which aids in the smooth working of the intestinal tract.

Detailed explanation-2: -Cellulose is basically a chain of glucose like starch. Unlike starch, cellulose has a bond that cannot be broken down by animals. There are some animals, such as cows, goats and sheeps which graze grass that have symbiotic bacteria in their abdomen which can digest cellulose.

Detailed explanation-3: -The most important difference in the way the two polymers behave is this: You can eat starch, but you can’t digest cellulose. Your body contains enzymes that break starch down into glucose to fuel your body. But we humans don’t have enzymes that can break down cellulose.

Detailed explanation-4: -The human digestive tract does not contain cellulose-digesting bacteria. Therefore, cellulose is the main component of indigestible fibre or roughage for humans. Q. (b) Cellulose gets absorbed in the human blood and converts into fibres.