lipopolysaccharide

noun

li·​po·​poly·​sac·​cha·​ride ˌlī-pō-ˌpä-li-ˈsa-kə-ˌrīd 

ˌli-

: a large molecule consisting of lipids and sugars joined by chemical bonds

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web

Poliovirus attaches itself to large molecules like lipopolysaccharide (LPS), which stud the surface of the bacteria. —Ed Yong, Discover Magazine, 13 Oct. 2011

For convenience, scientists usually measure the amount of lipopolysaccharide in the blood to evaluate the extent of bacterial transfer into the body. —Patrick Wilson, Outside Online, 15 June 2020

Among the probable mechanisms is that poor diet alters the composition of the intestinal microbiome, encouraging the production of microbial toxins, including lipopolysaccharide (LPS). —Tammy Worth, Scientific American, 24 June 2021

As expected, during the first six hours, the bats with lipopolysaccharide running through their veins moved less than the placebo recipients. —Popular Science, 30 Oct. 2020

Like animals — from insects to mammals — people react very strongly to this substance, lipopolysaccharide. —Ben Guarino, Washington Post, 2 Jan. 2018

Those that do not look roundish. The team report that more than 80% of the macrophages treated with lipopolysaccharide and then saline grew long pseudopods. —The Economist, 14 Sep. 2017

Like animals - from insects to mammals - people react very strongly to this substance, lipopolysaccharide. —The Washington Post, NOLA.com, 3 Jan. 2018

The researchers worked with mouse immune cells that had been treated either with lipopolysaccharide, a bacterial compound that reliably triggers an aggressive immune response, or with inoffensive saline solution and left as controls. —The Economist, 14 Sep. 2017

See More

Word History

First Known Use

1950, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

lipopolysaccharide

noun

li·​po·​poly·​sac·​cha·​ride ˌlip-ō-ˌpäl-i-ˈsak-ə-ˌrīd  ˌlī-pō- 

: a large molecule consisting of lipids and sugars joined by chemical bonds

—abbreviation LPS