Milady Esthetics State Board Practice Test

What carbohydrate is fiber primarily made of?

1. Sucrose

2. Cellulose

3. Glucose

4. Fructose

The correct answer is: Cellulose

Fiber is primarily made of cellulose, which is a type of carbohydrate that forms the structural component of plant cell walls. Unlike other carbohydrates, cellulose is not easily digested by humans due to our lack of enzymes to break it down. Instead, it serves various important functions within the digestive system, such as aiding in regular bowel movements, helping to control blood sugar levels, and maintaining a healthy gut microbiome. The other options refer to different types of carbohydrates: sucrose is a simple sugar composed of glucose and fructose, glucose is a monosaccharide that serves as a primary energy source for cells, and fructose is another simple sugar found in many plants. While these sugars play important roles in nutrition, they do not have the structural properties of fiber that cellulose possesses. Thus, cellulose is uniquely suited to characterize dietary fiber.