| chitin | <cell biology> A cross linked polymer of N acetyl D glucosamine that is the major structural component of arthropod exoskeletons and fungal cell walls. Widely distributed in plants and fungi. (18 Nov 1997) |
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| chitin synthase | <enzyme> An enzyme that converts udp glucosamine into chitin and udp. Chemical name: UDP-N-acetyl-D-glucosamine:chitin 4-beta-N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase Registry number: EC 2.4.1.16 (12 Dec 1998) |
| chitinase | <enzyme> An enzyme which breaks down chitin, which is a polysaccharide that forms the hard outer shell of arthropods (insects, spiders, crustaceans, etc.), and the cell walls of fungi, and some algae. (09 Oct 1997) |
| chitinolytic | <biochemistry> Having to do with an enzyme which converts chitin, a polysaccharide that forms the hard, outer shell of arthropods (insects, spiders, crustaceas, etc.) and the cell walls of fungi and some algae, into chitobiose, which is a disaccharide secreted by such things as spiders and some plants. Origin: Gr. Lysis = dissolution (05 Jan 1998) |
| chitinous | Of or relating to chitin. (05 Mar 2000) |