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Glite Dictionary
heptose

heptose

9.9
A simple sugar that has seven carbon atoms
  • noun
  • /ˈhɛpˌtoʊs/
  • Specialized
: heptosa
  • Rare in nature, heptose sugars are sometimes found in bacterial cell walls.

Examples

  • The scientist isolated a heptose from the sample using chromatography.

  • The heptose molecule is essential in certain biochemical pathways.

  • Understanding the structure of a heptose is important for biochemistry students.

  • Researchers are studying heptoses for their role in cellular processes.

  • In certain bacteria, heptose plays a crucial role in the formation of their outer membrane.

  • During the experiment, the team identified a rare heptose that could influence antibiotic resistance.

  • The study highlighted the significance of heptose sugars in maintaining cell integrity.

Surface Forms

heptose singular
heptoses plural

Morphology

heptose = hept- (semi-transparent) = hept + ose

The formation is regular (hept- 'seven' + -ose 'sugar') but both morphemes are specialized combining forms from chemistry and are not familiar to average B1 learners.

Etymology

Heptose combines the root hept- ('seven') with -ose ('sugar'), the same -ose you see in glucose and fructose, so a heptose is simply a sugar with seven carbon atoms.