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chitin
[ kahy-tin ]
noun
- a nitrogen-containing polysaccharide, related chemically to cellulose, that forms a semitransparent horny substance and is a principal constituent of the exoskeleton, or outer covering, of insects, crustaceans, and arachnids.
chitin
/ ˈkaɪtɪn /
noun
- a polysaccharide that is the principal component of the exoskeletons of arthropods and of the bodies of fungi
chitin
/ kīt′n /
- A tough, semitransparent substance that is the main component of the exoskeletons of arthropods, such as the shells of crustaceans and the outer coverings of insects. Chitin is also found in the cell walls of certain fungi and algae. Chemically, it is a nitrogenous polysaccharide (a carbohydrate).
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Derived Forms
- ˈchitinˌoid, adjective
- ˈchitinous, adjective
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Other Words From
- chitin·ous chitin·oid adjective
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Word History and Origins
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Word History and Origins
Origin of chitin1
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Compare Meanings
How does chitin compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:
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Example Sentences
To test how much acetylation in the fiber’s chitin worked best, the researchers used 18 rats.
Since chitin excels at fighting germs, Zhou’s team suspects the new dressing also would cut the risk of infections.
The best-performing chitin gauze sped the growth of new skin cells and blood vessels.
Dressings made from chitin with 71 percent of acetylated glucose worked best of all.
His group knew that chitin could help fight germs and had been shown to sometimes promote wound healing.
From end to end of the tube is a fine thread of chitin twisted in a close spiral like a spring.
You see, the chitin acts both as armor-plate for the soft parts and also as a firm support to the many muscles.
If, then, this tissue of Pteraspis is not to be looked upon as chitin, how can we imagine its formation?
This layer is easily dissolved in a solution of hypochlorite of soda, a fluid which dissolves chitin.
This cuticle is very much thicker than is usually found in vertebrates, and, strangely enough, has been thought to contain chitin.
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