BIOMOLECULES AND ENZYMES

Detailed explanation-1: -Hence, the correct answer is ‘Chitin’

Detailed explanation-2: -2.1. Chitin is a white, hard, inelastic, nitrogenous polysaccharide and the second most abundant biopolymer (after cellulose) that is found in the exoskeletons of crabs, prawns, insects, and even in the cell walls of fungi.

Detailed explanation-3: -Chitin is a linear homopolysaccharide composed of N-acetyl-D-glucosamine residues in -linkage.

Detailed explanation-4: -Chitin is a complex carbohydrate, similar to cellulose, that makes up organic structures such as the cell walls of fungi and the exoskeletons of insects and other arthropods.

Detailed explanation-5: -The exoskeleton of insects is composed of hard chitin, which is a polymer of acetylglucosamine and quite resistant to many chemicals. Insectivorous reptiles however have chitinolytic enzymes. Chitinase is secreted by the stomach and pancreas and occurs only in chitin eating species.