CYTOCHROME C Meaning and
Definition
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Cytochrome c is a small, highly conserved protein that plays a crucial role in cellular respiration. It is a heme protein, meaning it contains a heme group, which is an iron-containing molecule that can undergo reversible oxidation and reduction. Cytochrome c is found in the mitochondria, the energy-producing organelles of eukaryotic cells, and is involved in the electron transport chain.
In cellular respiration, cytochrome c functions as an electron carrier. It transfers electrons between Complex III and Complex IV within the mitochondria, acting as a shuttle to facilitate the conversion of chemical energy from food into adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the main energy currency of cells. The heme group in cytochrome c helps to transport electrons by accepting or donating them as needed.
The structure of cytochrome c consists of a single polypeptide chain folded into a compact structure and anchored to the inner mitochondrial membrane. The amino acid sequence of cytochrome c is highly conserved across different species, reflecting its essential role in cellular energy production and its evolutionary significance.
Cytochrome c has also been of great interest in biochemistry and evolutionary biology due to its involvement in various cellular processes, including apoptosis (programmed cell death) and oxidative stress response. Moreover, it has been widely studied as a model protein in experimental investigations and has provided insights into the structure-function relationship of other heme proteins.
Common Misspellings for CYTOCHROME C
- xytochrome c
- vytochrome c
- fytochrome c
- dytochrome c
- cttochrome c
- cgtochrome c
- chtochrome c
- cutochrome c
- c7tochrome c
- c6tochrome c
- cyrochrome c
- cyfochrome c
- cygochrome c
- cyyochrome c
- cy6ochrome c
- cy5ochrome c
- cytichrome c
- cytkchrome c
- cytlchrome c
Etymology of CYTOCHROME C
The word "cytochrome c" is derived from a combination of two terms: "cytochrome" and "c".
1. Cytochrome: The term "cytochrome" comes from the Greek words "kyto" meaning "cell" and "chroma" meaning "color". It was coined by British biochemist Sir Humphry Davy in 1884 and was originally used to describe a pigment found in living cells that exhibited a characteristic color change when exposed to air or oxygen.
2. C: The letter "c" in "cytochrome c" indicates the specific variant or form of cytochrome that is referred to. It is often used to distinguish it from other forms of cytochromes, such as cytochrome a, b, d, etc., which have different functions and characteristics.
Similar spelling word for CYTOCHROME C
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