glucose

[ gloo-kohs ]
/ ˈglu koʊs /

noun Biochemistry.

a sugar, C6H12O6, having several optically different forms, the common dextrorotatory form (dextroglucose, or -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 -glucose) not naturally occurring.
Also called starch syrup. a syrup containing dextrose, maltose, and dextrine, obtained by the incomplete hydrolysis of starch.

Origin of glucose

1830–40; < French < Greek glyk(ýs) sweet + French -ose -ose2

OTHER WORDS FROM glucose

glu·cos·ic, adjective non·glu·cose, noun

Example sentences from the Web for glucose

British Dictionary definitions for glucose

glucose
/ (ˈɡluːkəʊz, -kəʊs) /

noun

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

Derived forms of glucose

glucosic (ɡluːˈkɒsɪk), adjective

Word Origin for glucose

C19: from French, from Greek gleukos sweet wine; related to Greek glukus sweet

Medical definitions for glucose

glucose
[ glōōkōs′ ]

n.

A monosaccharide sugar in the blood that serves as the major energy source of the body; it occurs in most plant and animal tissue. blood sugar

Scientific definitions for glucose

glucose
[ glōōkōs′ ]

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: C6H12O6. See more at cellular respiration Krebs cycle photosynthesis.

Cultural definitions for glucose

glucose
[ (glooh-kohs) ]

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

notes for glucose

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