Chitin, DYK Fact #150

Did you know? Chitin, a major component of the exoskeleton of arthropods, is a polysaccharide carbohydrate.

I have been thinking it was a protein instead but I am set right now thanks to last night’s “University Challenge”.

Did you know? Starch and cellulose are also polysaccharide carbohydrates.

Did you know? The polysaccharide carbohydrate starch can be broken down into the the disaccharide sugar maltose by the enzyme salivary amylase, which is present in saliva.

Did you know? Salivary amylase is also called ptyalin.

I have just read about chitin in the glossary at the end of Chapter 4, “The nature and origin of life”, under the section LIVING THINGS in Volume 1, “The world of nature”, of the Reader’s Digest Library of Modern Knowledge. Did you know? Chitin is not quite a pure carbohydrate as it contains nitrogen. Perhaps it was its nitrogen component that made you think it was a protein?

Did you know? Salivary amylase or ptyalin is a form of α-amylase.

I read about amylase in The Penguin Dictionary of Botany this morning. Did you know? β-amylase is found in germinating seeds and is important for the production of malt in the brewing industry.

I read about amylase in the Oxford Concise Colour Medical Dictionary this morning. Did you know? Amylase will also hydrolyse glycogen to yield glucose, maltose, and dextrins.

Did you know? Glycogen is a polysaccharide carbohydrate, glucose is a monosaccharide carbohydrate, and maltose is a disaccharide carbohydrate. A maltose molecule is formed when two glucose molecules link up and undergo a condensation reaction.