trypsin

American  

[trip-sin] / ˈtrɪp sɪn /

noun

Biochemistry.

1. a proteolytic enzyme of the pancreatic juice, capable of converting proteins into peptone.

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trypsin British  

/ ˈtrɪpsɪn, ˈtrɪptɪk /

noun

1. an enzyme occurring in pancreatic juice: it catalyses the hydrolysis of proteins to peptides and is secreted from the pancreas in the form of trypsinogen See also chymotrypsin

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trypsin Scientific  

/ trĭp′sĭn /

1. An enzyme that aids digestion by breaking down proteins. It is produced by the pancreas and secreted into the small intestine, where it catalyzes the cleavage of peptide bonds connecting arginine or lysine to other amino acids.

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Other Word Forms

• tryptic
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of trypsin

1875–80; irregular < Greek trîps ( is ) friction ( trī́b ( ein ) to rub + -sis -sis ) + -in ²; so called because first obtained by rubbing the pancreas

Compare meaning

How does trypsin compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• chymotrypsin vs. trypsin

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

trypsin

The protein simulated in this case is called trypsin, a heavyweight in the world of biology.

From Barron's ● May 5, 2026

The motor uses the digestive enzyme trypsin to cut the peptides and convert them into the energy it needs to propel itself.

From Science Daily ● Feb. 26, 2024

Some studies point to α-amylase trypsin inhibitors, or say that people may be benefiting from reduced consumption of insoluble fibre, which is common in whole-grain breads and other cereal products.

From Nature ● May 17, 2016

Another, which Whitcomb's group identified over a decade ago, is caused when a digestive enzyme, trypsin, is activated at the wrong time and digests the pancreas from within.

From Scientific American ● Jul. 21, 2014

Why, there was my theory of the hydrolysis of casein by trypsin, which Professor Walters had been carrying out in his laboratory. 

From The Jacket (Star-Rover) by London, Jack