Glycobiology
Glycobiology
Glycobiology (pronounced: gly-co-bi-ol-o-gy) is the scientific study of glycans, the carbohydrate chains that are widely distributed in nature. The term was coined in the late 20th century and is derived from the Greek words "glycos" meaning sweet, "bios" meaning life, and "logia" meaning study.
Etymology
The term "Glycobiology" is a combination of three Greek words: "glycos" (γλυκός) meaning sweet or sugar, "bios" (βίος) meaning life, and "logia" (λογία) meaning study. Thus, it literally translates to "the study of sweet life."
Overview
Glycobiology involves the study of the structure, function, and biology of carbohydrates, also known as saccharides or sugars, that are present in all living organisms. These carbohydrates play critical roles in many biological functions, including cell-cell interaction, immune response, pathogen recognition, and many others.
Related Terms
- Glycan: A complex carbohydrate molecule composed of a chain of monosaccharide units.
- Saccharide: The simplest form of sugar and the basic unit of carbohydrates.
- Monosaccharide: The simplest form of carbohydrate, examples include glucose and fructose.
- Polysaccharide: A complex carbohydrate composed of a chain of monosaccharides.
- Glycoprotein: Proteins that contain oligosaccharide chains covalently attached to their polypeptide backbones.
- Glycolipid: Lipids with a carbohydrate attached by a glycosidic bond.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Glycobiology
- Wikipedia's article - Glycobiology
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