Definition

A type of sugar found in certain fungi, specifically in lichens, that helps form their structure.

Example

Lichenin is an important component of the cell walls in some lichen species.

Conversation

I was reading about different compounds in nature, and I came across something called lichenin.

Oh really? What is it exactly?

It's a type of glucan found in some lichens, which is pretty interesting!

That sounds fascinating! Nature has so many hidden wonders.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Lichenin is derived from 'lichen' (from Greek 'lichēn', meaning a type of fungus or plant that grows on rocks and trees) and the suffix '-in' (used in chemistry to denote substances). The word 'lichenin' refers to a substance derived from lichen.

Memory Tip

Think of 'lichen' as a plant-like organism that grows on surfaces, and remember that 'lichenin' is a substance derived from this organism.

Visually Confused Words