oligosaccharide

An oligosaccharide (/ˌɑlɪgoʊˈsækəˌɹaɪd/; from the Greek ὀλίγος olígos, 'a few', and σάκχαρ sácchar, 'sugar') is a saccharide polymer containing a small number (typically three to ten) of monosaccharides (simple sugars). Oligosaccharides can have many functions including cell recognition and cell binding. For example, glycolipids have an important role in the immune response.

They are normally present as glycans: oligosaccharide chains linked to lipids or to compatible amino acid side chains in proteins, ...