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chitin
Chitin (C8H13O5N)n ( ) is a long-chain polymer of an ''N''-acetylglucosamine, a derivative of glucose, and is found in many places throughout the natural world. It is a characteristic component of the cell walls of fungi, the exoskeletons of arthropods such as crustaceans (e.g., crabs, lobsters and shrimps) and insects, the radulae of molluscs, and the beaks and internal shells of cephalopods, including squid and octopuses. The structure of chitin is comparable to the polysaccharide cellulose, forming crystalline nanofibrils or whiskers. In terms of function, it may be compared to the protein keratin. Chitin has also proven useful for several medical and industrial purposes.
In butterfly wing scales, chitin is often organized into stacks of nano-layers or nano-sticks made of chitin nanocrystals that produce various iridescent colors by thin-film interference: similar, analogous structures made of keratin are found in iridescent bird plumage.
==Etymology==
The English word "chitin" comes from the French word ''chitine'', which first appeared in 1821 and derived from the Greek word χιτών (chiton), meaning covering.〔Auguste Odier (presented: 1821 ; published: 1823) "Mémoire sur la composition chimique des parties cornées des insectes" (Memoir on the chemical composition of the horny parts of insects), ''Mémoires de la Société d'Histoire Naturelle de Paris'', 1 : 29-42. From (page 35 ): "… la Chitine (c'est ainsi que je nomme cette substance de chiton, χιτον, enveloppe) …" (… chitine (it is thus that I name this substance from chiton, χιτον, covering) …)〕
A similar word, "chiton", refers to a marine animal with a protective shell (also known as a "sea cradle").
抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』
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