chitin
chitin
Noun
This substance provides structural rigidity and protection, acting as the biological equivalent of a hard shell or armor for insects, crustaceans, and certain fungi. It is characterized by its durability and resistance to degradation.
As a chemical compound, it is an uncountable mass noun. It does not have a plural form in standard scientific or general usage, as it refers to the material itself rather than individual units.
Meanings
Nounchitin
A tough, protective polysaccharide that forms the exoskeleton of arthropods and the cell walls of fungi.
The crab's shell is primarily composed of chitin.
Examples
The crab's shell is primarily composed of chitin.
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Related Words
polysaccharidepolymerglucosamineexoskeletoncarapaceshellcuticlearthropodinsectcrustaceanarachnidfungusmushroomyeastmoldchitosanglucosenitrogenamino groupacetyl groupbiopolymerstructuralmembranecell wallmoltingecdysiscrablobstershrimpprawnbeetleantspiderscorpiontickmitecentipedemillipedewingantennamandibletergitesternitesclerotizationcalcificationcalcium carbonateproteinpeptidebondlinkageglycosidic bondcrystallinityfibrousrigidtoughnessdurabilitybiocompatibilitybiodegradablechitinaseenzymehydrolysisdeacetylationbiomassorganic chemistrybiochemistrymorphologyanatomyzoologymycologytaxonomyevolutionprotectionsupportskeleton