ferritin

[ fer-i-tn ]

noun

, Biochemistry.

1. an amber-colored, crystalline protein, found in the liver, spleen, and bone marrow, that consists of apoferritin combined with a ferric hydroxide-ferric phosphate complex and that stores iron for use in metabolism.

ferritin

/ ˈfɛrɪtɪn /

noun

1. biochem a protein that contains iron and plays a part in the storage of iron in the body. It occurs in the liver and spleen

Word History and Origins

Origin of ferritin¹

First recorded in 1935–40; ferrite + -in ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of ferritin¹

C20: from ferrite + -in