Related Words

Arid: A term used for an extremely dry climate. The degree to which a climate lacks effective, life-promoting moisture. It is considered the opposite of humid when speaking of climates.

Polysaccharide: A carbohydrate consisting of a large number of linked monosaccharide units. Examples of polysaccharides are cellulose and starch.

Polysaccharides: Long chains of monosaccharide units bonded together; e.g., glycogen, starch, and cellulose.

Oligosaccharide: A carbohydrate that consists of only a few linked monosaccharide units.

Disaccharides: 1. Sugars made up of two monosaccharides held together by a covalent bond; e.g., sucrose and lactose. 2. Type of sugar (saccharide) composed of two sugar molecules bonded together with an es . . . View Full Definition

Monosaccharides: Simple carbohydrates, usually with a five- or six-carbon skeleton; e.g., glucose and fructose. A carbohydrate composed of a single sugar unit, such as glucose, ribose, deoxyribose, etc.

Aridity: The condition of receiving sparse rainfall; associated with cooler climates because cool air can hold less water vapor than warm air. Many deserts occur in relatively warm climates, however, . . . View Full Definition

Monosaccharide: A carbohydrate that cannot be decomposed into simpler carbohydrates by hydrolysis.

Riparian Rights: The rights of a landowner whose land borders on a stream or watercourse to use and enjoy the water which is adjacent to or flows over the owners land provided such use does not injure other . . . View Full Definition

Summer Fallow: Cropland in semi-arid regions that is purposely kept out of production during a cropping season mainly to conserve moisture for the next season. It is common for wheat producers in semi-arid . . . View Full Definition