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Dictionary » C » Chitin

Chitin

Definition

noun

A polymer of nitrogen-containing polysaccharide [(C8H13O5N)n] rendering a tough, protective covering or structural support in certain organisms.


Supplement

Examples of organisms with chitin are the arthropods in their exoskeletons, some arachnids in their hard outer covering, molluscs in their radula, cephalopods in their beaks, and some fungi species in their cell walls.

Chitin resembles keratin (protein component in human hair and nails) in structural function. It differs from keratin through its carbohydrate (polysaccharide) structural component.


Word origin: Latin chitōn, mollusk

Related forms: chitinous (adjective)

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Eukaryotic and Prokaryotic

... and the animals (including humans as well). Plant and algal cells have cell walls which contain cellulose, while fungal cell have cell walls with chitin. Animal cells have never any kind of cell wall. Major difference between most plant and animal cells are not only the presence/absence of cell ...

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by SteveYst
Wed Oct 03, 2012 1:39 pm
 
Forum: Cell Biology
Topic: Eukaryotic and Prokaryotic
Replies: 3
Views: 6053

Chitosan Extraction

Kevin - sorry so late with a response - i missed your post. There's not so much chitosan in crab shell as chitin. to convert to chitosan, you'll need to deacetylate the chitin. You'd do this by heating in caustic (aq. NaOH). Washed rsidue (chityosan) can then be dissolved in ...

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by JorgeLobo
Sat Mar 31, 2012 3:46 pm
 
Forum: Zoology Discussion
Topic: Chitosan Extraction
Replies: 1
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THE ONLY KINGDOM TO HAVE CELL WITHOUT CELL WALL?

Eukaryotes: Animalia - No cell wall Plantae - Cellulose Fungi - Chitin Protoctista - Sometimes a cell wall, polysaccharide Prokaryotes: Bacteria - Peptidoglycan Archaea - Sometimes a cell wall, but never peptidoglycan If you accidentally had Caps Lock on, ...

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by billyfisher100
Sat Jan 21, 2012 1:26 pm
 
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: THE ONLY KINGDOM TO HAVE CELL WITHOUT CELL WALL?
Replies: 2
Views: 2160

Re:

... nitrogen and proteins). So, how about the chytine?? does VFT excretes it out?? or it metabolizes that thing?? :? I think it doesn't even break the chitin down

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by JackBean
Sun Apr 17, 2011 6:10 pm
 
Forum: Botany Discussion
Topic: Venus Fly Trap
Replies: 51
Views: 28290

can you help my homework?

... – lipid c. glycerol – carbohydrate d. amino acid – protein 6. Which statement is correct? a. Starch is a structural polysaccharide b. Chitin is a protein found in insects c. Glycogen is a storage polysaccharide d. Cellulose is a polysaccharide only found in animal cell e. Glucose is ...

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by rb40gte
Mon Sep 20, 2010 8:48 pm
 
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: can you help my homework?
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