Cellulose vs. Maltose — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Fiza Rafique — Updated on April 3, 2024
Cellulose is a complex carbohydrate forming plant cell walls, while maltose, a simpler sugar, is energy-releasing during digestion.
Difference Between Cellulose and Maltose
Table of Contents
ADVERTISEMENT
Key Differences
Cellulose, a polysaccharide found in plant cell walls, provides structural support. Maltose, on the other hand, is a disaccharide that forms from starch digestion, primarily involved in energy provision.
While cellulose consists of β-glucose units linked by beta-1,4-glycosidic bonds, making it indigestible to humans, maltose is composed of two α-glucose units connected by an alpha-1,4-glycosidic bond, easily broken down by enzymes in the human digestive tract.
Cellulose plays a crucial role in the ecosystem by contributing to the carbon cycle and serving as a dietary fiber in human nutrition, which aids in digestion. Whereas maltose is significant in the food industry, used as a sweetener and a key ingredient in brewing beer.
The human body cannot break down cellulose due to the lack of an enzyme to split its beta-1,4-glycosidic bonds, thus it passes through the digestive system unchanged. Maltose, however, is readily hydrolyzed by maltase enzyme into two glucose molecules, providing a quick energy source.
While cellulose is the most abundant organic polymer on Earth, found in all plant matter, maltose is less ubiquitous, primarily produced during the germination of seeds (such as barley) and in the human digestive system.
ADVERTISEMENT
Comparison Chart
Type
Polysaccharide
Disaccharide
Monomer Units
β-glucose
α-glucose
Bond Type
Beta-1,4-glycosidic bonds
Alpha-1,4-glycosidic bond
Digestibility
Indigestible in humans
Easily digested by humans
Role in Nutrition
Dietary fiber, no caloric value
Energy source, contributes calories
Significance in Nature
Most abundant organic polymer
Produced during seed germination
Compare with Definitions
Cellulose
Not digestible by humans, serving as dietary fiber.
Cellulose intake is essential for maintaining a healthy digestive system.
Maltose
Formed from the enzymatic breakdown of starch.
Maltose levels increase in barley grains as they germinate.
Cellulose
Found in the cell walls of plants.
Cotton is almost pure cellulose and is used in textile manufacturing.
Maltose
Acts as a quick source of energy.
Maltose is an important energy source during physical activities.
Cellulose
Provides structural integrity to plants.
Trees owe their strength to cellulose fibers in their structure.
Maltose
Composed of two glucose units.
Maltose is formed when starch is broken down during digestion.
Cellulose
A long-chain polymer of beta-glucose units.
Cellulose gives plant cells their rigid structure.
Maltose
Used as a sweetener and in brewing.
Maltose is a key ingredient in the production of beer and malt beverages.
Cellulose
Used to produce paper and certain types of biofuels.
Cellulose is processed into cellulose acetate for photographic film production.
Maltose
Easily digested by the enzyme maltase.
Maltose is quickly converted into glucose, providing energy.
Cellulose
Cellulose is an organic compound with the formula (C6H10O5)n, a polysaccharide consisting of a linear chain of several hundred to many thousands of β(1→4) linked D-glucose units. Cellulose is an important structural component of the primary cell wall of green plants, many forms of algae and the oomycetes.
Maltose
Maltose ( or ), also known as maltobiose or malt sugar, is a disaccharide formed from two units of glucose joined with an α(1→4) bond. In the isomer isomaltose, the two glucose molecules are joined with an α(1→6) bond.
Cellulose
A polysaccharide, (C6H10O5)n, that is composed of glucose monomers and is the main constituent of the cell walls of plants. It is used in the manufacture of numerous products, including paper, textiles, pharmaceuticals, and insulation.
Maltose
A sugar produced by the breakdown of starch, e.g. by enzymes found in malt and saliva. It is a disaccharide consisting of two linked glucose units.
Cellulose
A complex carbohydrate that forms the main constituent of the cell wall in most plants and is important in the manufacture of numerous products, such as paper, textiles, pharmaceuticals, and explosives.
Maltose
A white disaccharide, C12H22O11, formed during the digestion of starch. Also called malt sugar.
Cellulose
(organic compound) A polysaccharide containing many glucose units in parallel chains.
Maltose
(carbohydrate) A disaccharide, C12H22O11 formed from the digestion of starch by amylase; is converted to glucose by maltase; it is an isomer of trehalose
Cellulose
Consisting of, or containing, cells.
Maltose
A crystalline disaccharide (C12H22O11) formed from starch by the action of diastase of malt, and the amylolytic ferment of saliva and pancreatic juice; called also maltobiose and malt sugar. Chemically it is 4-O-
Cellulose
Consisting of, or containing, cells.
Maltose
A white crystalline sugar formed during the digestion of starches
Cellulose
The substance which constitutes the essential part of the solid framework of plants, of ordinary wood, cotton, linen, paper, etc. It is also found to a slight extent in certain animals, as the tunicates. It is a carbohydrate, (C6H10O5)n, isomeric with starch, and is convertible into starches and sugars by the action of heat and acids. When pure, it is a white amorphous mass. See Starch, Granulose, Lignin.
Unsized, well bleached linen paper is merely pure cellulose.
Cellulose
A polysaccharide that is the chief constituent of all plant tissues and fibers
Common Curiosities
How is maltose utilized in the human body?
Maltose is quickly broken down by the enzyme maltase into glucose, which the body uses as an energy source.
What is maltose?
Maltose is a disaccharide sugar composed of two glucose units, involved in energy provision during digestion.
How is maltose produced?
Maltose is produced through the enzymatic breakdown of starch, particularly during the germination of seeds like barley.
Can humans digest cellulose?
No, humans cannot digest cellulose because they lack the enzyme to break its beta-1,4-glycosidic bonds.
Why is maltose important in the food industry?
Maltose is used as a sweetener and is a key ingredient in brewing beer because of its fermentable sugar content.
How do cellulose and maltose differ in structure?
Cellulose is a polysaccharide with beta-1,4-glycosidic bonds, while maltose is a disaccharide with alpha-1,4-glycosidic bonds.
Is cellulose used in any industrial applications?
Yes, cellulose is used in the production of paper, textiles, and certain biofuels.
What makes cellulose indigestible to humans?
The beta-1,4-glycosidic bonds in cellulose cannot be broken down by human digestive enzymes.
What is cellulose?
Cellulose is a complex carbohydrate that forms the cell walls of plants and provides structural support.
Where is cellulose found?
Cellulose is found in the cell walls of all plants.
How does maltose contribute to energy levels?
Maltose is quickly converted into glucose, which the body can use for immediate energy.
What role does cellulose play in the ecosystem?
Cellulose contributes to the carbon cycle and provides structural integrity to plants.
How do the roles of cellulose and maltose in nutrition differ?
Cellulose acts as dietary fiber with no caloric value, whereas maltose provides calories and serves as an energy source.
Can cellulose be digested by any organisms?
Yes, some bacteria and herbivores have enzymes that can break down cellulose.
What is the significance of maltose in brewing?
Maltose is fermented by yeast to produce alcohol and carbon dioxide, essential for beer production.
Share Your Discovery
Previous Comparison
Deep vs. Depth
Next Comparison
Prototype vs. ArchetypeAuthor Spotlight
Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
