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It is a structural polysaccharide found in the exoskeltons of arthropods (insects, crabs, lobsters, shrimp, etc.), mollusks (shelled organisms), beak of cephalopods (squid and octopus), and in the cell walls of fungi.
It is made up of saccharide monomers of N-acetylglucosamine, which is a derivative of glucose.
Unlike glycogen and starch, which are used for energy storage, chitin is primarily used as a structural component, strengthening exoskeletons, shells, and cell walls.
Chitin is also used for water purification and as an additive to thicken and stabilize foods and pharmaceuticals. It acts as a binder in dyes, fabrics, and adhesives. Industrial separation membranes and ion-exchange resins can be made from chitin. Processes to size and strengthen paper employ chitin
Because chitin is both flexible and strong, it is used in surgical thread, since it is biodegradable and wears away with time as a wound heals.
Additional info:
Chitin comes from the French "chitine", standing for the same substance "chitin".
Wiki User
∙ 7y ago
Wiki User
∙ 10y agoA chitin membrane, such as that found in fungi (mushrooms, etc.) is a thin layer of chitin that separates two regions. In a fungus, chitin is a strong yet flexible polysaccharide that helps to strength the cell walls.
Wiki User
∙ 10y agoCan I still eat dessert on a diet?
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Chitin is an example of what?
chitin is an example of a carbohydrate
What is a cell wall composed of that is also found in the exoskeleton of insects?
Cell walls of fungi are similar to exoskeletons of insects because they are both made up of chitin. Chitin is made up of complex carbohydrates.
Does a snail have chitin?
Yes. The shells of snails, as well as other mollusks, are strengthened by chitin.
How does glycogen differ from chitin?
chitin is much harder and is used to build things such as your fingernails
What is chitin in your stomach?
There is no chitin naturally present in the human stomach, as chitin grows in fungi and arthropods.However, when such organisms are eaten, the gastric juices in the stomach naturally break down chitin. Also, chitinases (enzymes) can break down chitin.There is no chitin naturally present in the human stomach, as chitin grows in fungi and arthropods.However, when such organisms are eaten, the gastric juices in the stomach naturally break down chitin. Also, chitinases (enzymes) can break down chitin.
What is the name of the polysaccharide that is found in the cell walls of fungi and the exoskeletons of arthropods?
Chitin is the polysaccharide found in the cell walls of fungi and the exoskeletons of arthropods.
The exoskeleton of an arthropod is?
composed of chitin
Do fish scales contain chitin?
Chitin
The cell walls of fungi are made from what?
The cell walls of fungi are made up of the glucosamine polymer chitin. The chitin of the fungal cell walls contain nitrogen.
From what language do you get the word chitin?
"chitin" comes from the French word "chitine", meaning the same substance, chitin.
What type of molecule is a chitin?
Chitin is polymerized N-acetylglucosamine.
Chitin is an example of what?
chitin is an example of a carbohydrate
Which carbohydrate is found in the exoskeleton of insects and crabs?
chitin
What do fungi use chitin for?
Chitin makes the cell wall
Is chitin a homo-polymer?
Chitin does not contain polymers, but is, rather, a polymer itself. Chitin is a polysaccharide. So, it is a polymer of saccharide subunits. In this case, chitin has many N-acetyl-D-glucosamine subunits.
What is significance of chitin in arthropods?
Chitin is a structural carbohydrate that forms their exoskeleton
What is the significance of chitin arthropods?
Chitin is a structural carbohydrate that forms their exoskeleton
