saccharide n : 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 [syn: carbohydrate, sugar]

English

Noun

1. 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.

Derived terms

• monosaccharide
• disaccharide
• trisaccharide
• oligosaccharide
• polysaccharide

Related terms

• triose
• tetrose
• pentose
• hexose
• heptose

Translations

Saccharide can have different meanings depending on the context:

• Saccharides are the anions and salts of the sweetener and sugar substitute saccharin (sodium saccharide, denatonium saccharide)
• Saccharide is a general synonym for sugars, see monosaccharide, disaccharide, and polysaccharide