What nitrogen-containing polysaccharide found in insects is also a component of Shrilk?

What nitrogen-containing polysaccharide found in insects is also a component of Shrilk?

• A. Chitin
• B. Gelatin
• C. Keratin
• D. Chitosan

Answer: (A)

Insects rely on chitin as a structural polymer in their exoskeletons. Chitin is a nitrogen-containing polysaccharide built from repeating units of N-acetylglucosamine, which gives it strength and rigidity. Shrilk is a bio-inspired composite that combines chitin with silk fibroin to create a tough, biodegradable material, so the nitrogen-containing polysaccharide involved is chitin. Gelatin and keratin are proteins, not polysaccharides, so they don’t fit. Chitosan is also a nitrogen-containing polysaccharide, but it is a derivative of chitin produced by deacetylation and is not the natural insect exoskeleton component used in Shrilk.

Insects rely on chitin as a structural polymer in their exoskeletons. Chitin is a nitrogen-containing polysaccharide built from repeating units of N-acetylglucosamine, which gives it strength and rigidity. Shrilk is a bio-inspired composite that combines chitin with silk fibroin to create a tough, biodegradable material, so the nitrogen-containing polysaccharide involved is chitin. Gelatin and keratin are proteins, not polysaccharides, so they don’t fit. Chitosan is also a nitrogen-containing polysaccharide, but it is a derivative of chitin produced by deacetylation and is not the natural insect exoskeleton component used in Shrilk.