Question

whats the relationship between cellulose and chitin

Answer 1

Welcome to Openstudy, and I'm so sorry that no one could answer your question until an hour after you asked it.

Cellulose is a rigid polysaccharide found in plants. It is made up of long chains of glucose molecules bonded together in an alternating manner, where every other glucose is turned in an opposite direction. The way the glucose molecules are arranged in cellulose allows hydrogen bonds to form between the cellulose molecules. These series of hydrogen bonds that form between the closely packed cellulose molecules provide a rigid and stable structure used to give strength to plant cell walls. Cellulose is responsible for the rigidity and strength in leaves, stems, bark, and other plant structures. Cellulose, also known as plant fiber, cannot be digested by human beings and most animals. It just passes through the digestive tract without being absorbed into the body. Despite the fact that it cannot be used as an energy source in most animals, cellulose fiber is an important part of our diet because it helps exercise the digestive track and keep it clean and healthy.

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Chitin is a rigid polysaccharide similar to cellulose in its alternating arrangements of glucose molecules. It differs from cellulose by having amino groups (NH2) bonded to its glucose molecules. Because of its strength, it is used to form the exoskeleton of all arthropods: insects, spiders, lobsters, and crabs. These protective exoskeletons, or anything else made of chitin, cannot be digested by animals.

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Answer 2

That's from my Honors Biology textbook by the way. :3

Hope that you can use the paragraphs and pictures to find the similarities and differences of cellulose and chitin. :)