polysaccharide (redirected from Polysaccharides)

pol·y·sac·cha·ride  (pl-sk-rd) also pol·y·sac·cha·rid (-rd) or pol·y·sac·cha·rose (-rs, -rz)

n.

Any of a class of carbohydrates, such as starch and cellulose, consisting of a number of monosaccharides joined by glycosidic bonds.

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polysaccharide [ˌpɒlɪˈsækəˌraɪd -rɪd], polysaccharose [ˌpɒlɪˈsækəˌrəʊz -ˌrəʊs]

n

(Chemistry / Elements & Compounds) any one of a class of carbohydrates whose molecules contain linked monosaccharide units: includes starch, inulin, and cellulose. General formula: (C₆H₁₀O₅)_n See also oligosaccharide

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polysaccharide  (pl-sk-rd)

Any of a class of carbohydrates that are made of long chains of simple carbohydrates (called monosaccharides). Starch and cellulose are polysaccharides. Compare monosaccharideoligosaccharide

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

polysaccharide - any of a class of carbohydrates whose molecules contain chains of monosaccharide molecules polyose heparin, Lipo-Hepin, Liquaemin - a polysaccharide produced in basophils (especially in the lung and liver) and that inhibits the activity of thrombin in coagulation of the blood; it (trade names Lipo-Hepin and Liquaemin) is used as an anticoagulant in the treatment of thrombosis and in heart surgery chitin - a tough semitransparent horny substance; the principal component of the exoskeletons of arthropods and the cell walls of certain fungi glucosamine - an amino derivative of glucose that is a component of many polysaccharides carbohydrate, saccharide, sugar - an essential structural component of living cells and source of energy for animals; includes simple sugars with small molecules as well as macromolecular substances; are classified according to the number of monosaccharide groups they contain cellulose - a polysaccharide that is the chief constituent of all plant tissues and fibers animal starch, glycogen - one form in which body fuel is stored; stored primarily in the liver and broken down into glucose when needed by the body inulin - used to manufacture fructose and in assessing kidney function dextrin - any of various polysaccharides obtained by hydrolysis of starch; a tasteless and odorless gummy substance that is used as a thickening agent and in adhesives and in dietary supplements mucopolysaccharide - complex polysaccharides containing an amino group; occur chiefly as components of connective tissue amylum, starch - a complex carbohydrate found chiefly in seeds, fruits, tubers, roots and stem pith of plants, notably in corn, potatoes, wheat, and rice; an important foodstuff and used otherwise especially in adhesives and as fillers and stiffeners for paper and textiles