glycoside

views updated May 29 2018

gly·co·side / ˈglīkəˌsīd/ • n. Biochem. a compound formed from a simple sugar and another compound by replacement of a hydroxyl group in the sugar molecule. Many drugs and poisons derived from plants are glycosides.DERIVATIVES: gly·co·sid·ic / ˌglīkəˈsidik/ adj.

glycoside

views updated May 23 2018

glycoside Any one of a group of compounds consisting of a pyranose sugar residue, such as glucose, linked to a noncarbohydrate residue (R) by a glycosidic bond: the hydroxyl group (–OH) on carbon-1 of the sugar is replaced by –OR. Glycosides are widely distributed in plants; examples are the anthocyanin pigments and the cardiac glycosides, such as digoxin (see digitalis) and ouabain, which are used medicinally for their stimulant effects on the heart.

glycoside

views updated May 29 2018

glycoside (gly-koh-syd) n. a compound formed by replacing the hydroxyl group (–OH) of a sugar by another group. (If the sugar is glucose the compound is known as a glucoside.) Glycosides derived from plants include some pharmacologically important products. cardiac g. a drug, such as digoxin (derived from digitalis), that increases the force of heart muscle contraction.

glycoside

views updated May 21 2018

glycoside The product that is obtained when a sugar reacts with an alcohol or phenol.

glycoside

views updated May 11 2018

glycoside The product obtained when a sugar reacts with an alcohol or phenol.