Definition

A type of organic compound found mainly in plants that releases a sugar and other substances when it is broken down with water.

Example

Glycosides are important in the study of plant chemistry and can have various effects on health.

Conversation

Have you ever heard of glycoside compounds in plants?

Yeah, I think they're pretty interesting!

I read that they can produce sugars when hydrolyzed.

That's cool! Nature has some amazing chemistry.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Glycoside → It is formed from "glyco-" (from Greek "glykys", meaning sweet) and "-side" (from Latin "sida", meaning a plant or a substance). The word "glycoside" refers to a compound that is derived from a sugar and another substance, often found in plants, hence the connection to sweetness and plant origin.

Memory Tip

Think of 'sweetness' ('glyco-') combined with a 'substance' ('-side') to remember that a glycoside is a sweet compound derived from sugar.

Visually Confused Words