Hydrocarbons of biological origin having carbon skeletons formally derived from isoprene [CH2=C(CH3)CH=CH2]. This class is subdivided into the C5 hemiterpenes, C10 monoterpenes, C15 sesquiterpenes, C20 diterpenes, C25 sesterterpenes, C30 triterpenes, C40 tetraterpenes (carotenoids), and C5n polyterpenes. See also carotenes, carotenoids, isoprenoids, prenols, retinoids, steroids, terpenoids.
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