The hard exoskeletons of insects and spiders are made of what substance?
Chitin (C8H13O5N) a long-chain polymer of N-acetylglucosamine, is a derivative of glucose. It is a primary component of cell walls in fungi, the exoskeletons of arthropods, such as crustaceans (e.g., crabs, lobsters and shrimps) insects, spiders, the radulae of molluscs, cephalopod beaks, and the scales of fish and lissamphibians.
The structure of chitin is comparable to another polysaccharide - cellulose, forming crystalline nanofibrils or whiskers. In terms of function, it may be compared to the protein keratin.
More Info:
en.wikipedia.org
What are your thoughts on this subject?
8 Comments
George Oliver Prince
Actually knew the answer,I'm shocked
Carol Focht Cheney
How did Keritin and Cartlidge get through the review process? It should be Keratin and Cartilage.
David Roy
If the answer had been keratin or cartilage, the spelling would have been correct.
Suzanne Wilson
Some options misspelled.
Gary Chadwick
Never heard of it, but didn't think it was one of the others
Eric Arvidson
spell check on aisle 3 cartilage is incorrect.
Cheryl Perkins
Made a good guess.
Kathleen Miller
David Roy, Animals can have internal or external skeletons - while some do not have a skeleton at all. Insects have an external skeleton made of chitin. Sharks have an internal skeleton made of cartilage, and humans have an internal skeleton made of cartilage and bone. Hinge joints and ball and socket joints are synovial joints.