Glucan
Glucan
Glucan (pronounced: gloo-kan) is a polysaccharide that is made up of glucose molecules. It is a significant component of the cell wall of certain fungi, yeasts, and bacteria. In the human body, glucan plays a crucial role in the immune system's response to these microorganisms.
Etymology
The term "glucan" is derived from "glucose," the type of sugar molecule that makes up the polysacaccharide, and the suffix "-an," which is commonly used in the names of polysaccharides.
Types of Glucan
There are several types of glucan, including but not limited to:
- Beta-glucan: A type of glucan with a beta-glycosidic linkage. It is found in various natural sources, such as oats, barley, yeast, and mushrooms.
- Alpha-glucan: A type of glucan with an alpha-glycosidic linkage. It is found in certain bacteria and fungi.
Related Terms
- Polysaccharide: A type of carbohydrate that consists of a number of sugar molecules bonded together.
- Glucose: A simple sugar that is an important energy source in living organisms and is a component of many carbohydrates.
- Glycosidic linkage: A type of covalent bond that joins a carbohydrate (sugar) molecule to another molecule.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Glucan
- Wikipedia's article - Glucan
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