IGNOU MBC 1 2026 - Discuss why cellulose cannot be digested by humans but can be utilized

Question

Discuss why cellulose cannot be digested by humans but can be utilized by ruminants.

21 Jan 2026

Answer :

Word Count : 255

Cellulose is a structural polysaccharide composed of long chains of β-D-glucose units linked by β-1,4-glycosidic bonds. Although humans consume cellulose as a major component of plant-based foods, they are unable to digest it due to the absence of the enzyme cellulase in the human digestive system. Human digestive enzymes such as amylase, maltase, and lactase are specific for α-glycosidic bonds, particularly α-1,4 and α-1,6 linkages found in starch and glycogen. The β-1,4 linkages of cellulose create a rigid, linear structure stabilized by

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