What does polysaccharide mean?
A polysaccharide is a large carbohydrate molecule made by joining many monosaccharide, or simple sugar, units together with glycosidic bonds. The resulting structures range from soluble substances used by organisms to store energy, such as glycogen, to strong structural materials such as cellulose in plant cell walls and chitin in fungi and arthropods. Some polysaccharides also function as dietary fiber because the human digestive system cannot break all of their linkages down completely. In nutrition, the term is often associated with complex carbohydrates and with substances such as starches and fiber. In biochemistry and related sciences, it identifies a broad and important class of biological polymers. Knowing the word helps distinguish individual sugar molecules from the much larger chains built from them and gives a precise name to an important group of carbohydrates.
nounA carbohydrate consisting of many monosaccharide units linked together by glycosidic bonds. Polysaccharides include substances such as starch, cellulose, glycogen, and chitin.
- Any carbohydrate polymer composed of many monosaccharide residues joined by glycosidic bonds.
"Cellulose is a structural polysaccharide that forms much of the fiber in plant cell walls."
"Insulin stimulates the liver and muscles to take up glucose and store it as the polysaccharide glycogen."
"Researchers are studying plant polysaccharides as potential ingredients in biodegradable packaging materials."
The plural is used when referring to multiple polysaccharide molecules, types, or categories.
"Some dietary polysaccharides are fermented by bacteria in the colon."
A polysaccharide is a molecular blueprint in which many small sugar units link together to form one remarkable structure.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does polysaccharide come from?
Polysaccharide was formed in English by combining the prefix poly-, meaning “many,” with saccharide, a term based on Latin saccharum, “sugar.” The Latin word itself comes through Greek sakchar, also meaning “sugar.” Related English forms such as saccharide, saccharify, and saccharification reflect the same sugar-related root.
Related word forms
How polysaccharide is actually used
The word is primarily used in biochemistry, nutrition, food science, and materials science. It is a formal technical term, but is also widely understood in discussions of nutrition and dietary fiber.
Easily confused with polysaccharide
A monosaccharide is a single sugar unit, whereas a polysaccharide is a chain or polymer made from many such units.