glycosaminoglycan

[ glahy-kohs-uh-mee-noh-glahy-kan ]

noun

1. any of a class of polysaccharides derived from hexosamine that form mucins when complexed with proteins: formerly called mucopolysaccharide.

glycosaminoglycan

/ glī′kōs-ə-mē′nō-glī′kăn /

1. Any of a group of polysaccharides with high molecular weight that contain amino sugars and often form complexes with proteins. Heparin is a glycosaminoglycan.
2. Also called mucopolysaccharide

Word History and Origins

Origin of glycosaminoglycan¹

1975–80; glyco- + (hexo)samine + -o- + glycan polysaccharide