cellulose (Calcibind)

Uses

• used to produce cardboard & paper
• converted into a wide variety of derivative

Epidemiology

• most common organic compound on Earth
• ~ 33 percent of all plant matter is cellulose
• cellulose is mainly obtained from wood pulp & cotton

Function

• structural component of the cell wall of green plants, many forms of algae & other organisms

Structure

• polysaccharide
• linear chain of several hundred to > 10,000 beta(1-4) linked D-glucose units

Physiology

• some animals, particularly ruminants & termites, can digest cellulose with the help of symbiotic micro-organisms that live in their guts
• humans can digest cellulose to some extent; however, it is often referred to as 'dietary fiber' or 'roughage & acts as a hydrophilic bulking agent for feces

More general terms

• polysaccharide (complex carbohydrate, glycan)
• plant-specific molecule
• dietary fiber
• antidote

More specific terms

• carboxymethylcellulose (Celluvisc, Refresh)
• hydroxyethylcellulose
• hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (hypromellose, Isopto Alkaline, GenTeal, Gonak, Goniosol, Teargen II, Visine Tears)

Additional terms

• emulsifier

Component of

• cellulose/citric acid (Plenity)
• brilliant green/cellulose/metronidazole