Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 3, 2026

Measurement of Chitinase Activity in Biological Samples
Published on: August 22, 2019
A two-system model for chitin-protein complexes in insect cuticles
1A.R.C. Unit of Insect Physiology, Department of Zoology, Oxford.
Abstract:
Insect cuticles consist of planes of microfibrils which may either form preferred oriented layers or rotate progressively to form a helicoid. The two types may alternate to form daily growth layers. In Hydrocyrius exo-cuticle, microfibrils of diameter 45 A rotate at angles of 7 degrees to 8 degrees to form a helicoid with a 44-to 50-fold screw axis, and have an axial periodicity of about 65 A. The sense of rotation of helicoidal systems is bilaterally asymmetrical indicating a crystallization assembly process, whereas variations in their pitch and directions of preferred oriented layers both show bilateral symmetry, indicating specific cellular control.
Related Concept Videos
Protein Complexes with Interchangeable Parts
The SCF ubiquitin ligase is a protein complex of five individual proteins. This complex attaches ubiquitin to other target proteins to mark them for degradation. In order to...
Protein Complexes with Interchangeable Parts
The SCF ubiquitin ligase is a protein complex of five individual proteins. This complex attaches ubiquitin to other target proteins to mark them for degradation. In order to...
Protein-protein Interfaces
Fluid Mosaic Model
Protein Complex Assembly
Many viruses self-assemble into a fully functional unit using the infected host cell to...
Introduction to Plant Diversity

