Cellulose chains form crystalline structures called microfibrils . A microfibril with a diameter of 20 - 30 nm contains about 2000 molecules. Crystalline and non-crystalline sections alternate. In crystalline ones forms the cellulose three-dimensional lattices due to the formation of the highest possible number of hydrogen bonds. This high degree of organization is not achieved in the other sections, called paracrystalline.
Crystals polarize light.
By studying cellulose between crossed polarisators can the main orientation of the microfibrils be determined. Their orientation changes from layer to layer. It is assumed that they take part in the synthesis of cellulose. Experiments with microtubuli-disrupting agents have an influence on the orientation pattern of newly developing microfibrills.