Carbohydrates: Chitin Flashcards
Is chitin a polysaccharide
yes
Is this polysaccharide in animals or plants
Chitin is usually found in animals, specifically fungi and beetles
What is the aim of the polysaccharide chitin in fungi?
It is used to strengthen the cell walls
What is the aim of chitin in insects?
used to give strength to their exoskeleton
extra info abt exoskeleton in insects
it is a strong rigid outer casing that gives protection and support to insects
is chitin waterproof? What is the importance of that?
Chitin is waterproof which helps insects prevent water loss from their body through their exoskeleton.
So what is chitin good for?
-protection
-maintaining water
What is chitin’s structure? Is it similar to cellulose?
YES! Chitin has a similar structure to Cellulose, made of many BETA glucose molecules joined together by 1,4 GLYCOSIDIC bonds
How is chitin different to cellulose?
chitin has a group called ACETYLAMINE GROUP bonded to CARBON 2 of the monosaccharide Beta glucose
How do beta glucose molecules bond?
Beta glucose monosaccharides are invert 180* to each other along the chain and bond. These inversions prevent chitin (and cellulose) from coiling and results in a long straight chain
What is the name given to the monomer made of both glucose and ACETYLAMINE GROUP?
N- ACETYLE GLUCOSEAMINE
can 1,4 glycosidic bonds be formed in cellulose/chitin if the beta glucose molecules were not inverted?
No, they need to keep flipping along the chain to form 1,4 glycosidic bonds and therefore a straight uncoiled chain
Are chitin chains straight?
yes
What happens when many straight parallel chitin chains are formed?
The LONG, STRAIGHT chitin chains lie parallel to each other and CROSS LINKING BETWEEN THE CHAINS OCCURS DUE TO HYDROGEN BONDS BETWEEN THE CHAINS
What happens when chitin/ cellulose chains cross link?
They bundle together to form stronger microfibrils
