glycoprotein

/,glikou'prouti:n/

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Explanation of "Glycoprotein"

Definition: A glycoprotein is a type of protein that has sugar molecules attached to it. These sugar molecules are called carbohydrates. Glycoproteins are found in many parts of the body and play important roles in biological processes.

Advanced Usage:

In advanced discussions, you might encounter glycoproteins in the context of cellular communication, immune response, or as markers in diseases. For instance: - "The glycoprotein structure on the surface of the virus allows it to attach to human cells."

Word Variants:

• Glycoprotein (noun)
• Glycosylation (noun): The process of adding sugar molecules to a protein to form a glycoprotein.

Different Meanings:

While "glycoprotein" specifically refers to a protein with carbohydrates, the components "glyco-" refers to sugar, and "protein" refers to a type of molecule made up of amino acids.

Synonyms:

• There are no direct synonyms for "glycoprotein" since it describes a specific scientific concept, but related terms include:
  • Mucoprotein: A type of glycoprotein that contains a large amount of carbohydrate.
  • Glycopeptide: A smaller molecule similar to glycoproteins, with fewer sugar components.

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:

"Glycoprotein" is a technical term, so it does not have idioms or phrasal verbs associated with it. However, in a scientific context, you might hear phrases like: - "To bond with a glycoprotein" (meaning to interact or connect with a glycoprotein).

Summary:

A glycoprotein is a protein that has sugars attached to it, playing crucial roles in various biological functions.

Academic

Noun

1. a conjugated protein having a carbohydrate component