dextran
/ˈdɛkstræn/
noun
- A type of complex sugar (polysaccharide) produced by bacteria, used in medicine as a blood volume expander and in laboratory research.
- Doctors administered dextran to the patient to increase blood volume after severe blood loss.
- Some bacteria in the mouth produce dextran, which contributes to the formation of dental plaque.
- Dextran is often used in laboratories to study how cells interact with large sugar molecules.