CHYMOSINOGEN Meaning and
Definition
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Chymosinogen is a term used in the field of biochemistry and refers to an inactive precursor enzyme involved in the process of milk coagulation. It specifically refers to the preliminary form of an enzyme called chymosin, which is responsible for the curdling and coagulation of milk proteins, primarily casein.
Chymosinogen is synthesized and secreted by specialized cells, known as chief cells, in the lining of the calf's stomach, as well as the fourth stomach of other ruminant animals. After secretion, chymosinogen goes through a series of enzymatic modifications to become the active form of chymosin, also known as rennin. This enzyme plays a vital role in the digestion of milk proteins by cleaving certain peptide bonds within the casein molecule, resulting in the formation of curds.
The conversion of chymosinogen to chymosin is triggered by the acidic environment of the stomach and the presence of calcium ions. Once activated, chymosin acts upon the casein proteins, causing them to aggregate and form a gelatinous mass, which is crucial for the digestion and absorption of milk proteins.
Chymosinogen, therefore, serves as a precursor for the active enzyme chymosin, playing a pivotal role in the digestive process of young animals that consume milk as a primary source of nutrition. Its ability to promote the coagulation of milk proteins allows for the separation of curds from whey, which is extensively used in the production of various dairy products, such as cheese and yogurt.
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The zymogen of rennin or rennet.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for CHYMOSINOGEN
- xhymosinogen
- vhymosinogen
- fhymosinogen
- dhymosinogen
- cgymosinogen
- cbymosinogen
- cnymosinogen
- cjymosinogen
- cuymosinogen
- cyymosinogen
- chtmosinogen
- chgmosinogen
- chhmosinogen
- chumosinogen
- ch7mosinogen
- ch6mosinogen
- chynosinogen
- chykosinogen
- chyjosinogen
- chymisinogen
Etymology of CHYMOSINOGEN
The word "chymosinogen" is derived from two main components: "chymo-" and "-sinogen".
1. "Chymo-" is derived from the Greek word "chymos", meaning "juice" or "liquid". It is also related to "chyme", which refers to the partially digested food that is passed from the stomach to the small intestine.
2. "-Sinogen" is a suffix that comes from the Greek word "sinon", meaning "substance" or "precursor". It is commonly used in the field of biochemistry to refer to the inactive or precursor forms of enzymes.
Therefore, "chymosinogen" refers to the inactive form of the enzyme "chymosin".
