Question

Chitin is the main polysaccharide found in invertebrates and exoskeletons of insects. It is made up of Chitosan monosaccharides. What atom type is found in chitosan that is not present in other monosaccharides?

A) Nitrogen
B) Silicon
C) Iron
D) Chlorine

Answer 1

Chitin is a nitrogen-containing polysaccharide that is different from other polysaccharides due to the presence of nitrogen in its structure. The atom type unique to chitosan, a component of chitin, is Nitrogen.

Step-by-step explanation:

Chitin is a unique polysaccharide found in the exoskeleton of invertebrates, such as insects and crustaceans, and in the cell walls of fungi.

It is composed of repeating units of N-acetyl-β-d-glucosamine, which is a modified form of sugar. What distinguishes chitin from other polysaccharides is the presence of nitrogen within its structure, specifically within the acetylamine group of each N-acetylglucosamine unit. Therefore, the atom type found in chitosan that is not present in other monosaccharides is Nitrogen (A).