What is cellulose primarily known for?

Cellulose is primarily known for providing support in plant cell walls. This polysaccharide is a crucial component of the structure of plants, as it forms strong fibers that give rigidity and strength. These fibers are composed of long chains of glucose molecules linked together, which allows plant cells to maintain their shape and structure. This structural role is vital for plants to withstand various environmental pressures and to grow upward towards sunlight.

Cellulose is not utilized as an energy source for animals; rather, animals lack the necessary enzymes to digest it effectively. In the context of storing genetic information, cellulose has no role, as that function is served by nucleic acids like DNA and RNA. Furthermore, while some enzymes can act as catalysts in biochemical reactions, cellulose does not have catalytic properties and does not facilitate reactions in the same way that enzymes do. Therefore, the primary role of cellulose is indeed associated with the structural integrity of plant cell walls.