Which part of the wood contributes to its flexibility?

Cellulose is a crucial component of wood that significantly contributes to its flexibility. It is a polysaccharide made up of long chains of glucose molecules, which form microfibrils that can deform under stress, allowing wood to bend without breaking. This flexibility is essential for the structural integrity of trees and allows them to withstand wind and other environmental pressures.

While lignin also plays a vital role in providing strength and rigidity to wood, it doesn't contribute to flexibility. Instead, it helps to fortify the structure, making it less prone to deformation under load. Hemicellulose acts as a matrix that surrounds cellulose fibers, providing additional support but does not lend flexibility in the same way that cellulose does.

Pith is the central part of the stem of a plant, primarily involved in the storage of nutrients and not in contributing to the mechanical properties of flexibility in wood. It is also not structurally involved in the flexibility of wood as it serves a different biological function.

Understanding the unique roles of these components clarifies why cellulose is recognized as the main contributor to the flexibility of wood.