Complete the chart below to summarize macromolecules

Question

Table 2-3. Summary of Macromolecules
Macromolecule Building Block Function Examples
2. Explain why, even though cellulose is plentiful around the world, it is not a food
solution for world hunge

Answer 1

Table 2-3. Summary of Macromolecules

| Macromolecule | Building Block | Function | Examples | |------------------|---------------------------|-----------------------------------------|------------------------------| | Carbohydrates | Monosaccharides (simple sugars) | Provide energy and structural support | Glucose, starch, cellulose | | Proteins | Amino acids | Building blocks of tissues, enzymes, and hormones | Hemoglobin, enzymes, antibodies | | Lipids | Fatty acids and glycerol | Store energy, form cell membranes, and serve as signaling molecules | Fats, oils, cholesterol | | Nucleic Acids | Nucleotides | Store and transmit genetic information | DNA, RNA |

Explanation for Cellulose and World Hunger

Even though cellulose is abundant in plant cell walls and is a major component of many agricultural products, it is not a viable solution for world hunger for several reasons:

1. Indigestibility by Humans: Cellulose is a polysaccharide that humans cannot digest due to the lack of cellulase, the enzyme required to break down cellulose into its glucose monomer units. Though it can be digested by certain animals (e.g., ruminants like cows), it offers no caloric value for human consumption.

2. Energy Source: Humans require energy-storing macromolecules such as starches and sugars (which can be directly broken down for energy) rather than structural components like cellulose. The human diet needs readily available energy that cellulose does not provide.

3. Nutritional Value: Cellulose provides little to no nutritional value in terms of vitamins, minerals, or essential amino acids that need to be included in the human diet.

4. Sustainable Agricultural Practices: Focusing on crops that are rich in digestible starches and sugars, as well as proteins, is vital for addressing world hunger. Agriculture needs to be directed towards crops that can provide immediate caloric and nutritional value to human populations rather than relying on materials that would require significant processing or fermentation (by animals or industrial means) to extract any caloric benefit.

In summary, while cellulose is a plentiful resource, it does not serve as a food source for humans, and thus cannot address the issue of world hunger effectively.