ScienceAugust 6, 2026

exopolysaccharides

EK-soh-pah-li-SAK-uh-rydz

Definition

Long chains of sugar molecules secreted by bacteria into their surrounding environment to form a protective coating.

Etymology

The term is a compound of the Greek 'exo' (outside), the Greek 'polys' (many), and 'saccharide' (derived from the Greek 'sakcharon' meaning sugar).

In the news

The researchers tested these sugar chains from L. gasseri bacteria to see if they could protect endometrial cells from aging, identifying them as a potential therapeutic postbiotic.

Fertility after 35 may also depend on womb bacteria

Read the full article ↗

Earth.com

Related words

biphotons

A pair of entangled photons that act together as a single unit, exhibiting properties…

Science

cobots

Collaborative robots designed to work alongside humans in a shared space rather than…

Science

endometrium

The mucous membrane lining the uterus, which thickens and becomes receptive to a…

Science

ichthyologist

A scientist who specializes in the study of fishes.

Science

magnetorquers

Electromagnetic components on a spacecraft that interact with a planet's magnetic field…

Science

micrograph

An image or photograph produced by means of a microscope to show an object at a scale…

Science

Learn a word like this every day

Meet one new word every morning.

Newspoken pulls one carefully chosen word from the day’s news — with a clear definition, context, and light review that makes it stick. Get it on your phone.