METHYLCHOLANTHRENE Meaning and
Definition
-
Methylcholanthrene is a chemical compound that falls under the category of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). It is a carcinogenic substance commonly used in laboratory studies to induce tumors in animals for research purposes, particularly in the field of oncology.
With a chemical formula of C20H12, methylcholanthrene is primarily derived from the incomplete combustion of organic materials, such as coal, oil, and wood. It presents as a pale yellow crystalline solid and features a rigid polycyclic structure composed of four fused benzene rings.
The compound is highly insoluble in water but dissolves well in organic solvents such as acetone, dichloromethane, and benzene. Its mechanism of carcinogenicity involves metabolic activation by cytochrome P450 enzymes, resulting in the formation of DNA-adducts that lead to genetic mutations and ultimately cancer development.
Due to its potent carcinogenic nature, methylcholanthrene is primarily used in laboratory studies to develop animal models for various types of cancers, including lung, skin, and mammary tumors. Researchers utilize this compound to study tumor initiation, promotion, and progression, as well as to evaluate potential anti-cancer therapies.
It is important to note that methylcholanthrene is highly toxic and poses significant risks to human health. Exposure to this compound should be strictly limited and conducted only under controlled laboratory conditions to avoid potential health hazards.
Common Misspellings for METHYLCHOLANTHRENE
- Methylcholanthreng
- methylchoelanthrene
- methylcholaunthrene
- m ethylcholanthrene
- me thylcholanthrene
- met hylcholanthrene
- meth ylcholanthrene
- methy lcholanthrene
- methyl cholanthrene
- methylc holanthrene
- methylch olanthrene
- methylcho lanthrene
- methylchol anthrene
- methylchola nthrene
- methylcholan threne
- methylcholant hrene
- methylcholanth rene
- methylcholanthr ene
- methylcholanthre ne
- methylcholanthren e
Etymology of METHYLCHOLANTHRENE
The word "Methylcholanthrene" is derived from two main components: "methyl" and "cholanthrene".
1. "Methyl": This component comes from the chemical group known as "methyl", which is derived from methane. The term "methyl" refers to the presence of one carbon atom bonded to three hydrogen atoms (CH₃-). The "meth-" part is derived from the Greek word "methy" meaning "wine" or "intoxication" because methanol was first produced by the destructive distillation of wood, which involved the production of spirits resembling wine.
2. "Cholanthrene": This component comes from the molecule known as "cholanthrene". It is a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) compound consisting of three benzene rings fused together with a fluoranthene unit.
