Final answer:
The enzyme that catalyzes the growth of cellulose in plant cell membranes is cellulose synthase. It forms tight, long chains of glucose monomers, which are critical for the cell wall's strength but cannot be digested by humans, unlike herbivores with specialized gut flora.
Step-by-step explanation:
The enzyme embedded in the plant cell membrane that catalyzes the growth of a cellulose molecule is called cellulose synthase. This enzyme is responsible for the polymerization of glucose monomers into the long chains that comprise cellulose, providing the plant cell wall with its rigidity and high tensile strength. The microtubules within the plant cell guide cellulose synthase, ensuring the proper formation of cellulose in the primary and secondary cell walls. While human digestive enzymes cannot break down the β 1-4 linkage in cellulose, herbivores like cows and horses, with the help of specialized gut flora that produce cellulase, are able to break it down into glucose monomers to use as an energy source.
The enzyme embedded in the plant cell membrane that catalyzes the growth of a cellulose molecule is called cellulase. Cellulose is a major component of plant cell walls, and it provides rigidity and strength to plant cells. While humans lack the enzymes to break down cellulose, herbivores like cows and koalas have specialized flora in their digestive systems that secrete cellulase, allowing them to digest plant material rich in cellulose.