Carbs - Chitin Flashcards
Other than cellulose, where else can structural polysaccharides be found?
(2)
Fungi
Insects
What are polysaccharides in fungi called?
Chitin
What is chitin in fungi used for?
Strengthening the cell wall
What is chitin used for in insects?
To strengthen their exoskeleton
What is a property of chitin?
Hoe does it help insects?
It’s waterproof
Which helps insects prevent water loss from their body
What is chitin structure similar to?
The structure of cellulose
What is the structure of chitin?
Composed of many ß-glucose molecules joined together with 1,4 glycosidic bonds
What does chitin also contain which makes it different from cellulose?
It contains acetylamine groups bonded to carbon 2 of the ß-glucose monosaccharide
When a chain of chitin is formed, the glucose + the acetylamine group is given a name.
What is the name?
N-acetylglucosanamine
Why is the ß-glucose molecules in chitin also inverted 180°?
To form the 1,4 bonds
What does the inverting of the ß-glucose mean for the chitin chains?
They are straight
What does the long straight chitin chains that are parallel allow to happen?
(3)
Hydrogen bonds to form in the cross-links between the chains
These cross-linked chains bundle together to form stronger microfibrils
These strong chitin microfibrils are deposited around the cell, adding to the fungal cell wall
