trypsin

tryp·sin  (trpsn)

n.

A pancreatic enzyme that catalyzes the hydrolysis of proteins to form smaller polypeptide units.

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[Perhaps Greek trpsis, a rubbing (from its having been first obtained by rubbing a pancreas with glycerin), from trbein, to rub; see ter-¹ in Indo-European roots + -in.]

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tryptic (-tk) adj.

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trypsin  (trpsn)

An enzyme that aids digestion by breaking down proteins. It is produced by the pancreas and secreted into the small intestine, where it catalyzes the cleavage of peptide bonds connecting arginine or lysine to other amino acids.

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

trypsin - an enzyme of pancreatic origin; catalyzes the hydrolysis of proteins to smaller polypeptide units enzyme - any of several complex proteins that are produced by cells and act as catalysts in specific biochemical reactions trypsinogen - inactive precursor of trypsin; a substance secreted by the pancreas and converted to active trypsin by enterokinase in the small intestine