| glucans | Glucose containing polysaccharides, including cellulose, callose, laminaran, starch and glycogen. (18 Nov 1997) |
|---|---|
| glucaric acid | <chemical> D-glucaric acid. A sugar acid derived from d-glucose in which both the aldehydic carbon atom and the carbon atom bearing the primary hydroxyl group are oxidised to carboxylic acid groups. Chemical name: Glucaric acid (12 Dec 1998) |
| glucases | An obsolete term for enzymes cleaving starch to glucose. (05 Mar 2000) |
| gluceptate | USAN-approved contraction for glucoheptonate. (05 Mar 2000) |
| glucic | <chemistry> Pertaining to, or obtained from, sugar; as, glucic acid. Origin: Gr. Sweet. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| glucina | <chemistry> A white or gray tasteless powder, the oxide of the element glucinum; formerly called glucine. Origin: Cf. F. Glycine, glucine. So called because it forms sweet salts. See Glucinum. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| glucinic | <chemistry> Pertaining to, derived from, or containing, glucinum; as, glucinic oxide. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| glucinum | <chemistry> A rare metallic element, of a silver white colour, and low specific gravity (2.1), resembling magnesium. It never occurs naturally in the free state, but is always combined, usually with silica or alumina, or both; as in the minerals phenacite, chrysoberyl, beryl or emerald, euclase, and danalite. It was named from its oxide glucina, which was known long before the element was isolated. Symbol Gl. Atomic weight 9.1. Synonym: beryllium. [Formerly written also glucinium. Origin: Cf. F. Glucinium, glycium, fr. Gr, sweet. Cf. Glycerin. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| gluciphore | Term coined for chemical groups believed to be responsible for sweet taste. Origin: G. Glykys, sweet, + phoros, bearing (05 Mar 2000) |
| gluco- | Combining form denoting relationship to glucose. See: glyco-. Origin: G. Gleukos, sweet new wine, sweetness (05 Mar 2000) |
| glucoamylase | <enzyme> An enzyme that breaks down starches and dextrins into glucose. The enzyme is produced by fungi, especially those in the Aspergillus genus. (09 Oct 1997) |
| glucoascorbic acid | 3-Keto-d-glucoheptonofuranolactone;a compound resembling ascorbic acid but with an additional -CHOH-between C-5 and C-6 of ascorbic acid; shows toxic effects on addition to diet which apparently are not caused by ascorbic acid antagonism. (05 Mar 2000) |
| glucocerebrosidase deficiency | Causes Gaucher's disease (type 1), a progressive genetic disease due to an enzyme defect. The enzyme, glucocerebrosidase, is needed to break down the chemical glucocerebroside. The enzyme defect in persons with Gaucher's disease (GD) leads to the accumulation of glucocerebroside in the spleen, liver, and lymph nodes. The most common early sign is enlargement of the spleen (located in the upper left abdomen). Other signs include low red blood cell counts (anaemia), a decrease in blood clotting cells (platelets), increased pigmentation of the skin, and a yellow fatty spot on the white of the eye (a pinguecula). Severe bone involvement can lead to pain and collapse of the bone of the hips, shoulders, and spine. The GD gene is on chromosome 1. The disease is a recessive trait. Both parents carry a GD gene and transmit it for their child with the disease. The parents' risk of a child with the disease is 1 in 4 with each pregnancy. This type of Gaucher's disease (noncerebral juvenile Gaucher's disease) is most common in Ashkenazi Jews (of European origin) and is the most common genetic disease among Jews in the United States. (12 Dec 1998) |
| glucocerebroside | <biochemistry> A cerebroside (a sugar lipid complex) which includes the sugar glucose. The acid amide part of a fatty acid which has glucosidic linkages. (09 Oct 1997) |
| glucocorticoid | <pharmacology> Corticosteroid substances (drugs or hormones) that are involved in carbohydrate metabolism by promoting gluconeogenesis and the formation of glycogen at the expense of lipid and protein synthesis. They are steroid based and possess anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive properties. Glucocorticoids are also produced normally by the adrenal cortex and provide for the response to stress. Examples include: prednisolone, methylprednisolone, hydrocortisone, betamethasone and dexamethasone. (29 Sep 1997) |