: a horny polysaccharide (C8H13NO5)n that forms part of the hard outer integument especially of insects, arachnids, and crustaceans
Examples of chitin in a Sentence
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Among these components were small peptides, enzymes, enzyme inhibitors and molecules associated with chitin, the hard biomaterial of the caterpillars’ setae.
—
Ivan Amato, Scientific American, 30 Jan. 2025
Researchers developed a cheap and effective sponge-like filter to remove microplastics from water using cellulose fibers from cotton and chitin from squid exoskeletons.
—Alex Knapp, Forbes, 6 Dec. 2024
The reason behind this practice is that worm castings contain an enzyme known as chitinase that breaks down chitin, the major constituent in the exoskeleton of many insects, including whiteflies, aphids, and leaf miners, as well as spider mites.
—Joshua Siskin, Orange County Register, 10 Aug. 2024
Chitons–the hard spines and bristles in some modern mollusks–are made of the mineral calcium carbonate instead of the organic chitin that is in Shishania.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 1 Aug. 2024
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Ivan Amato, Scientific American, 30 Jan. 2025
Researchers developed a cheap and effective sponge-like filter to remove microplastics from water using cellulose fibers from cotton and chitin from squid exoskeletons.
—Alex Knapp, Forbes, 6 Dec. 2024
The reason behind this practice is that worm castings contain an enzyme known as chitinase that breaks down chitin, the major constituent in the exoskeleton of many insects, including whiteflies, aphids, and leaf miners, as well as spider mites.
—Joshua Siskin, Orange County Register, 10 Aug. 2024
Chitons–the hard spines and bristles in some modern mollusks–are made of the mineral calcium carbonate instead of the organic chitin that is in Shishania.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 1 Aug. 2024
See all Example Sentences for chitin
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“Chitin.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chitin. Accessed 5 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
chitin
noun
chi·tin
ˈkīt-ᵊn 
: a horny substance that forms part of the hard outer body covering especially of insects and crustaceans
Medical Definition
chitin
noun
chi·tin
ˈkīt-ᵊn
: a horny polysaccharide that forms part of the hard outer integument especially of insects, arachnids, and crustaceans
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