Search results
Results From The WOW.Com Content Network
Chitin (C 8 H 13 O 5 N) n (/ ˈkaɪtɪn / KY-tin) is a long-chain polymer of N -acetylglucosamine, an amide derivative of glucose. Chitin is the second most abundant polysaccharide in nature (behind only cellulose); an estimated 1 billion tons of chitin are produced each year in the biosphere. [1] It is a primary component of cell walls in ...
Chitosan / ˈkaɪtəsæn / is a linear polysaccharide composed of randomly distributed β- (1→4)-linked D -glucosamine (deacetylated unit) and N -acetyl- D -glucosamine (acetylated unit). It is made by treating the chitin shells of shrimp and other crustaceans with an alkaline substance, such as sodium hydroxide. [1][2]
A typical arthropod exoskeleton is a multi-layered structure with four functional regions: epicuticle, procuticle, epidermis and basement membrane. [1] Of these, the epicuticle is a multi-layered external barrier that, especially in terrestrial arthropods, acts as a barrier against desiccation. The strength of the exoskeleton is provided by the ...
Their cuticles vary in the details of their structure, but generally consist of three main layers: the epicuticle, a thin outer waxy coat that moisture-proofs the other layers and gives them some protection; the exocuticle, which consists of chitin and chemically hardened proteins; and the endocuticle, which consists of chitin and unhardened ...
Like cellulose, chitin is an abundant biopolymer that is relatively resistant to degradation. [17] Many mammals can digest chitin and the specific chitinase levels in vertebrate species are adapted to their feeding behaviours. [18] Certain fish are able to digest chitin. [19] Chitinases have been isolated from the stomachs of mammals, including ...
Typical fungal cell wall structure. Zygomycetes exhibit a special structure of cell wall. Most fungi have chitin as structural polysaccharide, while zygomycetes synthesize chitosan, the deacetylated homopolymer of chitin. Chitin is built of β-1,4 bonded N-acetyl glucosamine. Fungal hyphae grow at the tip.
Polysaccharide. 3D structure of cellulose, a beta-glucan polysaccharide. Amylose is a linear polymer of glucose mainly linked with α (1→4) bonds. It can be made of several thousands of glucose units. It is one of the two components of starch, the other being amylopectin. Polysaccharides (/ ˌpɒliˈsækəraɪd /), or polycarbohydrates, are ...
The name chiton is Neo-Latin derived from the Ancient Greek word khitōn, meaning tunic (which also is the source of the word chitin). The Ancient Greek word khitōn can be traced to the Central Semitic word *kittan , which is from the Akkadian words kitû or kita'um , meaning flax or linen, and originally the Sumerian word gada or gida .