Definition of zymogen in English:
zymogen
noun ˈzʌɪmə(ʊ)dʒ(ə)nˈzaɪmədʒən
Biochemistry An inactive substance which is converted into an enzyme when activated by another enzyme.
Example sentencesExamples
- One of the key reactions in the mammalian blood coagulation and hemostatic process is the cleavage of the zymogen prothrombin to thrombin which in turn activates fibrinogen to fibrin, eventually resulting in clot formation.
- Still other proteins (of the enzyme class) are synthesized as inactive precursors called zymogens.
- How this process occurs is unclear; however, it is believed that something activates the zymogens while they are still in the pancreas.
- The proteases are secreted in forms of zymogen (ie, inactive precursor to enzyme), such as trypsinogen, chymotrypsinogen, and procarboxypeptidase.
- The cytoplasm contains numerous glycogen granules; however, zymogen and neurosecretory granules are absent.