glucose

American  

[gloo-kohs] / ˈglu koʊs /

noun

Biochemistry.

1. a sugar, C 6 H 12 O 6 , having several optically different forms, the common dextrorotatory form dextroglucose, or d-glucose occurring in many fruits, animal tissues and fluids, etc., and having a sweetness about one half that of ordinary sugar, and the rare levorotatory form levoglucose, or l-glucose not naturally occurring.

2. Also called starch syrup.  a syrup containing dextrose, maltose, and dextrine, obtained by the incomplete hydrolysis of starch.

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glucose British  

/ -kəʊs, ˈɡluːkəʊz, ɡluːˈkɒsɪk /

noun

1. a white crystalline monosaccharide sugar that has several optically active forms, the most abundant being dextrose: a major energy source in metabolism. Formula: C 6 H 12 O 6

2. a yellowish syrup (or, after desiccation, a solid) containing dextrose, maltose, and dextrin, obtained by incomplete hydrolysis of starch: used in confectionery, fermentation, etc

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glucose Scientific  

/ glo̅o̅′kōs′ /

1. A monosaccharide sugar found in plant and animal tissues. Glucose is a product of photosynthesis, mostly incorporated into the disaccharide sugar sucrose rather than circulating free in the plant. Glucose is essential for energy production in animal cells. It is transported by blood and lymph to all the cells of the body, where it is metabolized to form carbon dioxide and water along with ATP, the main source of chemical energy for cellular processes. Glucose molecules can also be linked into chains to form the polysaccharides cellulose, glycogen, and starch. Chemical formula: C ₆ H ₁₂ O ₆ .

2. See more at cellular respiration Krebs cycle photosynthesis

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glucose Cultural  

1. The most common form of sugar, found extensively in the bodies of living things; a molecule composed of carbon, oxygen, and hydrogen.

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Discover More

Glucose is involved in the production of energy in both plants and animals.

Other Word Forms

• glucosic adjective
• nonglucose noun

Etymology

Origin of glucose

Coined in 1838 by French chemist Jean-Baptiste André Dumas; from French, from Greek gleûkos “sweet new wine” (akin to glykýs “sweet”; glyco- )

Compare meaning

How does glucose compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• glycogen vs. glucose
• dextrose vs. glucose
• mannose vs. glucose

Example Sentences

When insulin does not function properly, blood glucose levels rise.

From Science Daily

These markers include glucose, fats called triglycerides, and the protein tryptophan.

From Science Daily

These alterations may affect how the body handles glucose and could increase the risk of developing diabetes.

From Science Daily

"Think of it like a continuous glucose monitor, but for intestinal gas," Hall said, explaining that the device detected increased hydrogen production after participants consumed inulin, a prebiotic fiber.

From Science Daily

Shutdowns have caused problems for diabetic children whose sensors can’t transmit glucose levels to parents and warn them in case of emergencies.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• cellulose
• lactose
• starch
• sugar