Definition of polysaccharides Polysaccharides

/pɑˌliˌsæˈkɚajˌdz/ - [paleesakeraydz] -

We found 3 definitions of polysaccharides from 2 different sources.

What does polysaccharides mean?

Wiktionary

polysaccharides (Noun)
Plural of polysaccharide.

Part of speech

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polysaccharides, noun, plural of polysaccharide.

WordNet

Noun Plural: polysaccharides
polysaccharide - any of a class of carbohydrates whose molecules contain chains of monosaccharide molecules
		polyose
		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
		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
		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

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Wiktionary

polysaccharide (Noun)
A polymer made of many saccharide units linked by glycosidic bonds.

OmegaWiki DictionaryOmegaWiki Dictionary Ω

polysaccharide
A polymer made up of many monosaccharides joined together by glycosidic links.

Wikipedia

Polysaccharides are relatively complex carbohydrates.

They are polymers made up of many monosaccharides. They are very large, often branched, molecules. They tend to be amorphous, insoluble in water, and have no sweet taste.

When all the constituent monosaccharides are of the same type they are termed "homopolysaccharides"; when more than one type of monosaccharide is present they are termed "heteropolysaccharides".

Examples include storage polysaccharides such as starch and glycogen and structural polysaccharides such as cellulose and chitin.

Starches.

Starches are insoluble in water. They can be digested by hydrolysis, catalyzed by enzymes called amylases. Humans and other animals have amylases, so they can digest starches. Potato, rice, wheat, and maize are major sources of starch in the human diet.

Cellulose.

The structural components of plants are formed primarily from cellulose. Wood is largely cellulose and lignin, while paper and cotton are nearly pure cellulose. Cellulose is a polymer made with repeated glucose units. Humans and many other animals do not digest cellulose. Certain animals can digest cellulose, because bacteria possessing the enzyme are present in their gut. The classic example is the termite.