GLYCOSIDE Meaning and
Definition
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A glycoside is a type of chemical compound that consists of a sugar molecule (called the glycone) attached to a non-sugar molecule (called the aglycone) through a glycosidic bond. It is a subgroup of a larger class of compounds known as glycoconjugates, which are formed through the attachment of carbohydrates to non-carbohydrate molecules.
Glycosides are commonly found in nature, occurring in various plants, fungi, and animals. They serve numerous biological functions, such as energy storage, defense mechanisms, and cell signaling. In plants, glycosides often play a role in reducing toxicity and serving as storage forms of secondary metabolites, such as flavonoids, alkaloids, and terpenoids.
The glycosidic bond that connects the glycone to the aglycone is formed through a condensation reaction, resulting in the formation of an ether linkage. This bond is relatively stable, but can be enzymatically cleaved by glycosidases, leading to the release of the aglycone and the sugar molecule.
Glycosides possess diverse chemical properties, with variations in the types of sugars and aglycones involved. They can be classified based on the type of sugar, the aglycone structure, or their biological activity. Some common examples of glycosides include cardiac glycosides (found in plants like foxglove), flavonoid glycosides (found in fruits, vegetables, and other plant sources), and steroid glycosides (found in medicinal plants).
Due to their potential biological activities and therapeutic properties, glycosides have attracted significant attention in medicinal chemistry and drug development. Their unique structure and various physiological effects make them a fascinating area of research in the fields of pharmacology, biochemistry
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A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for GLYCOSIDE
- flycoside
- vlycoside
- blycoside
- hlycoside
- ylycoside
- tlycoside
- gkycoside
- gpycoside
- goycoside
- glgcoside
- gl6coside
- glyxoside
- glyvoside
- glyfoside
- glydoside
- glyciside
- glyckside
- glyclside
- glycpside
Etymology of GLYCOSIDE
The word "glycoside" is derived from two components: "glyco-" and "-side".
The prefix "glyco-" is derived from the Greek word "glukūs" (γλυκύς), meaning "sweet" or "sugar". It refers to carbohydrates or sugars.
The suffix "-side" comes from the Greek word "eidos" (είδος), meaning "form" or "shape". It is used in chemistry to indicate a class or type of compound.
Therefore, the word "glycoside" combines these two components to describe a type of compound that consists of a sugar molecule (glyco-) bound to a non-sugar molecule (-side), forming a distinctive chemical structure. This term is often used in the field of biochemistry to describe various compounds found in plants and other organisms.
Similar spelling words for GLYCOSIDE
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