BIOLOGY Volume 1 - A Guide to General Biology - 2004

3. CHEMICAL COMPONENTS OF LIVING ORGANISMS

3.2. Carbohydrates

3.2.4. Polysaccharide-Related Substances

Chitin

In terms of both Structure and function, chitin is very similar to Cellulose; it is also a structural polysaccharide (Fig. 3.15). Chitin is found in certain Fungi, where its fibrous structure provides structural support in Cell walls, as well as in several animal groups (particularly Arthropods) as a major component of their exoskeleton. The structure of chitin is identical to that of cellulose, with one exception: at the C-2 carbon atom, the hydroxyl (—OH) group is replaced by an —NH • CO • CH3 group. Long, parallel chains of chitin, much like cellulose chains, are bundled together.

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Fig. 3.15. Structure of chitin.

Murein

Murein is a polysaccharide that provides structural support in bacterial cell walls (Section 2.3.1). Structurally, it resembles chitin and also contains nitrogen in its molecule.

3.6. What Structural Features of CARBOHYDRATES account for such a great diversity of Polysaccharides?



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