Saccharide
Saccharide
Saccharide (pronunciation: /ˈsækəˌraɪd/), also known as carbohydrate, is a type of organic compound widely distributed in nature. The term "saccharide" is derived from the Greek word "sakcharon", meaning sugar.
Etymology
The term "saccharide" comes from the Greek word "sakcharon", which means sugar. It was first used in the 19th century to describe a group of substances that had sweet taste and were chemically related to each other.
Definition
A saccharide is a type of organic compound that is widely distributed in nature. It is a key component of many biological systems and plays a crucial role in various biological functions. Saccharides are classified into four chemical groups: monosaccharides, disaccharides, oligosaccharides, and polysaccharides.
Types of Saccharides
- Monosaccharides: These are the simplest form of saccharides. They cannot be hydrolyzed to smaller carbohydrates. Examples include glucose, fructose, and galactose.
- Disaccharides: These are formed when two monosaccharides are linked together. Examples include sucrose, lactose, and maltose.
- Oligosaccharides: These are composed of a small number of monosaccharides (from three to ten). Examples include raffinose and stachyose.
- Polysaccharides: These are complex carbohydrates that consist of more than ten monosaccharides. Examples include starch, cellulose, and glycogen.
Related Terms
- Glucose: A simple sugar that is an important energy source in living organisms and is a component of many carbohydrates.
- Fructose: A simple ketonic monosaccharide found in many plants, where it is often bonded to glucose to form the disaccharide sucrose.
- Galactose: A monosaccharide sugar that is less sweet than glucose and fructose. It is a component of lactose and many polysaccharides and glycoproteins.
- Sucrose: A common, naturally occurring carbohydrate found in many plants and plant parts.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Saccharide
- Wikipedia's article - Saccharide
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