Lignin

Lignin (n): an amorphous polymer related to cellulose that provides rigidity and together with cellulose provides the woody cell walls of plants and the cementing material between them.

Lignin is an organic substance that helps to form cell walls in plant cells. It also binds cells together. There is no set chemical formula for lignin; however, lignin is generally classified as a dendritic network polymer of phenyl propene basic units. There are two basic categories of lignin: sulfur-bearing and sulfur-free.

This word comes from the Latin lignus, meaning "wood."

Bibliography

1. Internation Lignin Institute. "About Lignin." ILI.com. 2013. ILI. 5 November 2013. <http://www.ili-lignin.com/aboutlignin.php>