NEET BIOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -Chitin is a polysaccharide abundant in nature, which constitutes the exoskeleton of arthropods, such as insects and crustaceans.

Detailed explanation-2: -Chitin is a naturally occurring polysaccharide existing in the outer shells of crustaceans, insect exoskeletons, and fungal cell walls. It is the second most abundant natural polymer after cellulose.

Detailed explanation-3: -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.

Detailed explanation-4: -Chitin is a long-chain unbranched polysaccharide made of -1, 4-linked anhydro-2-acetamido-2-deoxy-d-glucose (GlcNAc) which forms crystalline fibrillar structures following association of adjacent chains through hydrogen bonds between the N–H and the CO groups.

Detailed explanation-5: -Chitin is one of the most important biopolymers in nature. It is mainly produced by fungi, arthropods and nematodes. In insects, it functions as scaffold material, supporting the cuticles of the epidermis and trachea as well as the peritrophic matrices lining the gut epithelium.