Glossary

chitin

Nitrogen-containing polysaccharide which forms the principal constituent of arthropod exoskeletons and the cell walls in some fungi.

Related terms

arthropod
Any member of the phylum Arthropoda, these being characterised by a (usually) chitinous exoskeleton and segmented body to which jointed appendages are attached in pairs. Arthropods include the insects, crustaceans, arachnids, myriapods, and extinct trilobites, and comprise the largest phylum in the animal kingdom.
chitinous
Composed of or resembling chitin.
exoskeleton
External skeleton, often forming a hard, shell-like outer covering typical in insects, crustaceans and some molluscs. Usually chitinous but may also be composed primarily of calcium carbonate or silica.
fungi
Kingdom of eukaryotic microorganisms lacking chlorophyll and vascular tissue and possessing chitinous cell walls. Highly variable in form and includes all yeasts, molds, and mushrooms.