noun
- A polysaccharide found in plant cell walls that is less rigid than cellulose and more easily broken down.
Usage: technical; biochemistry
Examples
- Hemicellulose makes up about 20-30% of the dry weight of wood.
- The digestive system of ruminants can break down hemicellulose more easily than cellulose.
- Researchers are studying hemicellulose as a potential source for biofuel production.
- Plant cell walls contain cellulose, hemicellulose, and pectin in varying proportions.
- Hemicellulose is more soluble in alkaline solutions than cellulose is.