Final answer:
Cellulose, chitin, and peptidoglycan have in common the ability to form parallel strands through bonds between polymer chains, providing structural strength to cell walls.
Step-by-step explanation:
They can all form bonds between polymer chains that create parallel strands:
The structural feature common to cellulose, chitin, and peptidoglycan is their ability to form bonds between polymer chains that create parallel strands. Cellulose and chitin are composed of glucose derivatives that link to form long chains, while peptidoglycan consists of sugar chains cross-linked by peptide bonds. These structures contribute to the rigidity and strength of cell walls in plants, fungi, insects, and bacteria.
Cellulose is a common structural component of cell walls in plants and other organisms, while chitin is found in the cell walls of fungi and the exoskeletons of insects and other arthropods. Peptidoglycans are the primary component of the cell walls of bacteria. These substances have the ability to form bonds between their polymer chains, creating parallel strands that give them strength and structural integrity.