Definition

A type of sugar that is found in plants, specifically in substances like gums and hemicelluloses. It has a chemical formula of C5H10O5 and is known for its crystalline structure.

Example

Arabinose is often used in research related to plant biology and biochemistry.

Conversation

Have you ever heard of arabinose?

No, I haven't. What is it?

It's a type of sugar that's found in some plants, like gums.

That sounds interesting! I wonder if it has any health benefits.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Arabinose is derived from 'arabin' (a sugar obtained from gum arabic, which comes from the Arabic word 'arabīq', meaning 'from Arabia') and '-ose' (a suffix used in chemistry to denote sugars). The word 'arabinose' refers to a type of sugar that is derived from gum arabic.

Memory Tip

Think of 'arabin' as relating to gum arabic, which is where this sugar comes from, and remember that '-ose' indicates it is a sugar. This helps you remember that arabinose is a sugar derived from gum arabic.

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