Which sugar forms the structural component of plant cell walls?

Cellulose is the sugar that forms the structural component of plant cell walls. It is a polysaccharide composed of long chains of glucose molecules linked through beta-1,4-glycosidic bonds, which provide significant strength and rigidity to the plant cell wall. This structural integrity is essential for plants to maintain their shape and withstand environmental forces.

The fibrous nature of cellulose makes it crucial not just for the plant structure itself but also for various applications in materials and food industries, as well as its role in the carbon cycle through plant biomass. Its unique properties distinguish it from other sugars in terms of function and importance in plant biology.