zymogen

[ zahy-muh-juhn, -jen ]

/ ˈzaɪ mə dʒən, -ˌdʒɛn /

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noun Biochemistry.

any of various enzyme precursor molecules that may change into an enzyme as a result of catalytic change.

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Also called proenzyme.

Origin of zymogen

<German (1875); see zymo-, -gen

Words nearby zymogen

Zyloprim, zymase, zyme, zymo-, zymodeme, zymogen, zymogenesis, zymogenic, zymogenic cell, zymology, zymolysis

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use zymogen in a sentence

Zymogen′ic; Zy′moid, like a ferment; Zymolog′ic, -al, pertaining to zymology.
Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 4 of 4: S-Z and supplements)|Various
During ordinary secretion, however, these granules of zymogen do not entirely disappear from the cell.
On Digestive Proteolysis|R. H. Chittenden
When in this stage, the compound is known as "proenzyme," or "zymogen."
The Chemistry of Plant Life|Roscoe Wilfred Thatcher

British Dictionary definitions for zymogen

zymogen

/ (ˈzaɪməʊˌdʒɛn) /

noun

biochem any of a group of compounds that are inactive precursors of enzymes and are activated by a kinase

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Medical definitions for zymogen

zymogen

[ zī′mə-jən ]

proenzyme