Table of contents

Skip topic navigation

1. A Review of General Chemistry5h 5m
2. Molecular Representations1h 14m
3. Acids and Bases2h 46m
4. Alkanes and Cycloalkanes4h 17m
5. Chirality3h 39m
6. Thermodynamics and Kinetics1h 22m
7. Substitution Reactions1h 48m
8. Elimination Reactions2h 30m
9. Alkenes and Alkynes2h 9m
10. Addition Reactions3h 19m
11. Radical Reactions1h 58m
12. Alcohols, Ethers, Epoxides and Thiols2h 42m
13. Alcohols and Carbonyl Compounds2h 17m
14. Synthetic Techniques1h 26m
15. Analytical Techniques:IR, NMR, Mass Spect7h 3m
16. Conjugated Systems6h 13m
17. Ultraviolet Spectroscopy51m
18. Aromaticity2h 34m
19. Reactions of Aromatics: EAS and Beyond5h 1m
20. Phenols55m
21. Aldehydes and Ketones: Nucleophilic Addition4h 56m
22. Carboxylic Acid Derivatives: NAS2h 51m
23. The Chemistry of Thioesters, Phophate Ester and Phosphate Anhydrides1h 10m
24. Enolate Chemistry: Reactions at the Alpha-Carbon1h 53m
25. Condensation Chemistry2h 9m
26. Amines1h 43m
27. Heterocycles2h 0m
28. Carbohydrates5h 53m
29. Amino Acids4h 20m
30. Peptides and Proteins2h 42m
31. Catalysis in Organic Reactions1h 30m
32. Lipids 2h 50m
33. The Organic Chemistry of Metabolic Pathways2h 52m
34. Nucleic Acids1h 32m
35. Transition Metals6h 14m
36. Synthetic Polymers1h 49m

28. Carbohydrates

Monosaccharides - Common Structures

Organic Chemistry

28. Carbohydrates

Monosaccharides - Common Structures

Previous problemNext problem

Struggling with Organic Chemistry?

Join thousands of students who trust us to help them ace their exams!Watch the first video

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is a common function of chitin in biological systems?

Energy storage in plants

Energy storage in animals

Structural support in plant cell walls

Structural support in fungal cell walls

Previous problemNext problem

Verified step by step guidance

Understand the role of chitin: Chitin is a long-chain polymer of N-acetylglucosamine, a derivative of glucose. It is similar to cellulose in structure and function.

Identify where chitin is commonly found: Chitin is primarily found in the exoskeletons of arthropods (such as insects and crustaceans) and in the cell walls of fungi.

Differentiate between chitin and other polysaccharides: Unlike starch and glycogen, which are used for energy storage in plants and animals respectively, chitin is not used for energy storage.

Recognize the structural role of chitin: In fungi, chitin provides structural support to the cell walls, similar to how cellulose provides structural support in plant cell walls.

Conclude the function of chitin: Based on its properties and location, chitin's primary function in biological systems is to provide structural support, particularly in fungal cell walls.