Which neutral polysaccharide contains N-acetyl glucosamine?

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Multiple Choice

Which neutral polysaccharide contains N-acetyl glucosamine?

Explanation:
Chitin is a neutral polysaccharide built from repeating units of N-acetylglucosamine, linked mainly by β-1,4 glycosidic bonds. That acetylated amino sugar is what sets chitin apart, giving it rigidity and strength in fungal cell walls and arthropod exoskeletons. The other options are all glucose-based polymers: glycogen is a highly branched storage polymer of glucose; starch (amylose and amylopectin) is a plant storage polymer of glucose; cellulose is a linear glucose polymer with β-1,4 linkages but lacks the N-acetyl group. Because only chitin contains the N-acetylglucosamine unit, it is the correct choice.

Chitin is a neutral polysaccharide built from repeating units of N-acetylglucosamine, linked mainly by β-1,4 glycosidic bonds. That acetylated amino sugar is what sets chitin apart, giving it rigidity and strength in fungal cell walls and arthropod exoskeletons. The other options are all glucose-based polymers: glycogen is a highly branched storage polymer of glucose; starch (amylose and amylopectin) is a plant storage polymer of glucose; cellulose is a linear glucose polymer with β-1,4 linkages but lacks the N-acetyl group. Because only chitin contains the N-acetylglucosamine unit, it is the correct choice.

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