How can you explain the human's inability to digest cellulose?

1 Answer
Jun 21, 2017

Humans are unable to digest cellulose because the appropriate enzymes to break down the beta acetyl linkages are lacking.

Explanation:

Cellulose is found in abundance in nature in virtually all plant tissues and is therefore a common component of our diet.

Humans cannot digest cellulose as their digestive system does not have cellulase, the enzyme which digests the cellulose.

Dieticians and nutritionists identify cellulose to be the useful part of food that keeps the move through the digestive tract efficient. Undigested cellulose is the fibre which aids in the smooth working of the intestinal tract.