cytochrome

noun

cy·​to·​chrome ˈsī-tə-ˌkrōm How to pronounce cytochrome (audio)
: any of several intracellular hemoprotein respiratory pigments that are enzymes functioning in electron transport as carriers of electrons

Examples of cytochrome in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Taking a medication that lowers cholesterol, such as statins, may impact the natural creation of vitamin D. Statins and vitamin D are also metabolized (broken down) by the same liver enzyme, cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4). Kirstyn Hill, Pharmd, Mph, Health, 13 Jan. 2025 To simulate the behavior of cytochrome P450, a family of enzymes largely responsible for drug metabolism and therefore how patients will respond to drugs, classical computers would require colossal amounts of computing power. Charina Chou, Foreign Affairs, 7 Jan. 2025 Metoprolol, but not atenolol, is broken down by a liver enzyme called cytochrome P450 2D6. Alex Yampolsky, Verywell Health, 11 July 2024 But for some reason, the nematode version of cytochrome P450 instead turns selectivin into a toxic chemical. Byerik Stokstad, science.org, 25 May 2023 Myoglobin binds and stores oxygen from the then passes it along to a fat-oxidizing cytochrome that generates ATP to fuel the cell. Mai Nguyen, Discover Magazine, 23 Sep. 2015 In addition to producing cytochrome P450 enzymes, the liver is one of the major organs that create special proteins called cytokines and interferons that participate in the immune response. C. Michael White, The Conversation, 4 Oct. 2021 Inflammation from a new infection or chronic inflammatory disease like rheumatoid arthritis or psoriasis could also impair how well enzymes like cytochrome P450 can metabolize drugs. C. Michael White, The Conversation, 4 Oct. 2021 These images showed the component parts of cytochrome b6f down to the level of individual molecules. Emily Willingham, Scientific American, 13 Nov. 2019

Word History

First Known Use

1925, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of cytochrome was in 1925

Dictionary Entries Near cytochrome

Cite this Entry

“Cytochrome.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cytochrome. Accessed 21 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

cytochrome

noun
cy·​to·​chrome ˈsīt-ə-ˌkrōm How to pronounce cytochrome (audio)
: any of several iron-containing pigments that transfer electrons to molecules of oxygen in the living cell

Medical Definition

cytochrome

noun
cy·​to·​chrome ˈsīt-ə-ˌkrōm How to pronounce cytochrome (audio)
: any of several intracellular hemoprotein respiratory pigments that are enzymes functioning in electron transport as carriers of electrons

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