Gossypose

/ˈɡɑːsɪˌpoʊs/ noun

Definition

A type of polysaccharide or carbohydrate compound found in cotton plants or cotton seeds.

Etymology

From 'Gossypium' (cotton plant genus) + '-ose' suffix (chemistry/biochemistry suffix for sugars and carbohydrates, from glucose, fructose, etc.).

Kelly Says

The '-ose' suffix in chemistry is borrowed from Greek 'glykys' (sweet), which is why so many sugars have names ending in '-ose'—it's a linguistic shortcut that tells chemists 'this is a carbohydrate.'

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