ENTEROKINASE Meaning and
Definition
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Enterokinase is a digestive enzyme produced in the cells lining the small intestine, specifically in the duodenum. It plays a crucial role in the process of protein digestion and absorption.
The primary function of enterokinase is to initiate the activation of other digestive enzymes called pancreatic zymogens, such as trypsinogen, into their active forms. When the partially digested food, known as chyme, enters the duodenum from the stomach, enterokinase is secreted into the intestinal lumen.
Enterokinase then cleaves or hydrolyzes a specific peptide bond within trypsinogen, converting it to trypsin, which is a proteolytic enzyme. Trypsin, in turn, activates other pancreatic enzymes like chymotrypsinogen, procarboxypeptidase, and proelastase into their active forms, enabling them to efficiently break down proteins into smaller peptides and amino acids, which can be further absorbed by the intestine.
Overall, enterokinase acts as a key catalyst in the digestive cascade, orchestrating the conversion of inactive zymogens to active enzymes, thereby enhancing the efficiency of protein digestion and absorption. It plays a crucial role in maintaining the optimal functioning of the digestive system. Its deficiency or malfunction can lead to impaired protein digestion and subsequent malabsorption, resulting in various digestive disorders.
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An intestinal ferment which converts trypsinogen into trypsin.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for ENTEROKINASE
- wnterokinase
- snterokinase
- dnterokinase
- rnterokinase
- 4nterokinase
- 3nterokinase
- ebterokinase
- emterokinase
- ejterokinase
- ehterokinase
- enrerokinase
- enferokinase
- engerokinase
- enyerokinase
- en6erokinase
- en5erokinase
- entwrokinase
- entsrokinase
- entdrokinase
Etymology of ENTEROKINASE
The word "enterokinase" is derived from the combination of two words: "entero-" and "-kinase".
- "Entero-" is derived from the Greek word "enteron", which means intestine.
- "-Kinase" is derived from the Greek word "kinēsis", meaning movement or action.
Thus, "enterokinase" can be understood as an enzyme that is primarily found in the intestines and is responsible for catalyzing or initiating certain biochemical reactions specifically in the intestines.
Similar spelling words for ENTEROKINASE
- enteropathy,
- Enterobius,
- enterobiasis,
- enterobacteria,
- enterostenosis,
- entertain,
- enterolobium,
- Enterline,
- enteritis,
- entertained,
- enterpriser,
- enterotoxin,
- enterovirus,
- enterprise,
- enterprise zone,
- endearingly,
- endearing,
- entertainer.
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