Definition

A group that comes from a sugar, especially a simple sugar, by taking away a specific part of it.

Example

Glycosyl groups are important in the structure of many biological molecules.

Conversation

Hey, have you ever heard of glycosyl groups in biochemistry?

Yeah, I think they play a role in how sugars interact in the body.

Exactly! I read that they form when a sugar's hydroxy group is removed.

That's interesting — it makes you appreciate how complex our bodies are!

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Glycosyl is formed from "glyco-" (from Greek "glykys", meaning sweet) and "-syl" (from the Greek suffix "-syl", used in chemistry to denote a group or radical). The term refers to a chemical group derived from sugars, emphasizing its sweet nature.

Memory Tip

Think of 'sweet' ('glyco-') to remember that 'glycosyl' relates to a group derived from sugars.

Visually Confused Words