polysaccharides

/ˌpɑliˈsækəˌraɪdz/ /ˌpɒliˈsækəˌraɪdz/

Meanings

noun

A polymer made of many saccharide units linked by glycosidic bonds.

Examples :

"Cellulose, starches, and complex carbohydrates, such as glycogen, are common polysaccharides in biology."

Related Words

units noun

/ˈjuːnɪts/ /ˈjuːnɪts/

A particular, minute unit of mass, defined differently for different substances, but so that varying substances of the same general type have the property that one international unit of the one has the same effect on the human body as one international unit of the other.

"The doctor prescribed 5000 units of vitamin D to help improve my bone health. "

complex noun

/ˈkɑmˌplɛks/ /kəmˈplɛks/

A network of interconnected systems.

"The school's computer network is a complex of interconnected systems, linking classrooms, libraries, and administration offices. "

bonds noun

/bɒndz/ /bɑndz/

Evidence of a long-term debt, by which the bond issuer (the borrower) is obliged to pay interest when due, and repay the principal at maturity, as specified on the face of the bond certificate. The rights of the holder are specified in the bond indenture, which contains the legal terms and conditions under which the bond was issued. Bonds are available in two forms: registered bonds, and bearer bonds.

"The company raised money by selling bonds to investors, promising to pay them interest over time and eventually repay the original amount. "

common noun

/ˈkɒmən/ /ˈkɑmən/

Mutual good, shared by more than one.

"The common good of the school is ensured by a strong parent-teacher association. "

saccharide noun

/ˈsæk.əɹ.aɪd/ /ˈsæk.ə.ɹaɪd/

The unit structure of carbohydrates, of general formula CnH2nOn. Either the simple sugars or polymers such as starch and cellulose. The saccharides exist in either a ring or short chain conformation, and typically contain five or six carbon atoms.

"Example Sentence: "The body breaks down starch into simpler saccharides like glucose to use for energy." "

starches noun

/ˈstɑːrtʃɪz/ /ˈstɑːrtʃəz/

A widely diffused vegetable substance found especially in seeds, bulbs, and tubers, and extracted (as from potatoes, corn, rice, etc.) as a white, glistening, granular or powdery substance, without taste or smell, and giving a very peculiar creaking sound when rubbed between the fingers. It is used as a food, in the production of commercial grape sugar, for stiffening linen in laundries, in making paste, etc.

"Potatoes, rice, and corn are good sources of starches, which give us energy. "

carbohydrates noun

/ˌkɑːrboʊˈhaɪdreɪts/ /ˌkɑːrbəˈhaɪdreɪts/

(nutrition) A sugar, starch, or cellulose that is a food source of energy for an animal or plant.

"These microbes are primarily responsible for breaking down cellulose and other carbohydrates into volatile fatty acids (VFAs)."

linked verb

/lɪŋkt/

To connect two or more things.

"The students linked their arms together to form a long chain. "

polymer noun

/ˈpɒl.ɨ.mə/ /ˈpɑ.lɪ.mɚ/

A long or larger molecule consisting of a chain or network of many repeating units, formed by chemically bonding together many identical or similar small molecules called monomers. A polymer is formed by polymerization, the joining of many monomer molecules.

"The plastic in my school's new chairs is a polymer. "

biology noun

/baɪˈɒlədʒɪ/ /baɪˈɑlədʒi/

The study of all life or living matter.

"My son is taking biology classes at school, learning about different types of plants and animals. "

glycogen noun

/ˈɡlaɪkədʒən/ /ˈɡlaɪkoʊdʒən/

A polysaccharide that is the main form of carbohydrate storage in animals; converted to glucose as needed.

"After a big meal, my body stores the extra carbohydrates as glycogen in my liver and muscles, so I have energy later. "

cellulose noun

/ˈsɛljʊloʊs/ /ˈsɛljʊloʊz/

A complex carbohydrate that forms the main constituent of the cell wall in most plants and is important in the manufacture of numerous products, such as paper, textiles, pharmaceuticals, and explosives.

"The paper we use in our science class is made from cellulose. "