squa·lene (skw  l n )n. A colorless unsaturated aliphatic hydrocarbon, C30H50, found especially in human sebum and in the liver oil of sharks, that is an intermediate in the biosynthesis of cholesterol and is used in biochemical research. [New Latin Squalus, shark genus (from its occurrence in the liver oil of sharks) (from Latin squalus, a sea fish) + -ene.] |
squalene [ˈskweɪˌliːn]
n
(Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Biochemistry) Biochem a terpene first found in the liver of sharks but also present in the livers of most higher animals: an important precursor of cholesterol
[from New Latin squalus genus name of the shark]
| squalene (skwln) A colorless, unsaturated hydrocarbon found especially in the liver oil of sharks and in human sebum. It is an intermediate compound in the body's synthesis of cholesterol. Chemical formula: C30H50. |
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