Question

The structural material of fungal cell wall is
a. Pectin
b. Cellulose
c. Peptidoglycan
d. Chitin

Answer 1

Hint: The fungal cell wall is formed of three main elements that are - chitin, glycans and glycoproteins. Chitin is an essential structural element of the fungal cell wall which is found in the form of N-acetyl glucosamine polymer of chitin. It provides a rigid as well as structural support to the fungal cells. The chitins cell wall also provides protection.

Complete answer:
> Option A. Pectin
Pectin is a structural acidic hetero-polysaccharide includes of primary as well as middle lamella along with cell walls of terrestrial plants. Its key component is galacturonic acid, that is a sugar acid derived from galactose.

> Option B. Cellulose
Cellulose is an organic compound. A polysaccharide includes a linear chain of various hundred to many thousands of β linked D-glucose units. Cellulose is an essential structural component of the primary cell wall in green plants, many forms of algae along with the oomycetes.

> Option C. Peptidoglycan
Peptidoglycan also known as murrain is a polymer containing sugar as well as amino acids that forms a mesh-like layer outside of the plasma membrane in most bacteria, forming the cell wall.

> Option D. Chitin
Chitin is a long-chain polymer of N-acetyl glucosamine. It is a derivative of glucose. This polysaccharide plays a primary component of cell walls in fungI, the exoskeletons of arthropods, like crustaceans and insects, the radulae of molluscs, cephalopod beaks, as well as the scales of fish and Lis amphibians.

Hence, the correct answer is option (D).

Note: Polymers mainly includes unbranched chains of β-(1,4) that is linked-N-Acetyl glucosamine in the Ascomycota along with Basidiomycete, or poly-β-(1,4)-linked-N-Acetyl glucosamine (chitosan) in the Zygomycota. Both chitin along with chitosan are synthesized as well as extruded at the plasma membrane.