Like the rest of this website, the glossary is a work in progress. If we’ve missed a term, please contact us to let us know the term and references.
A mucopolysaccharide is a polysaccharide built of amino sugars and often associated with proteins. It is secreted from a variety of openings in the diatom frustule. Mucopolysaccharides can be components of mucilage, which is a complex colloidal material used by diatoms for movement, protection, and adhesion.