Dictionary > Zymogen granules

Zymogen granules

Definition
noun
The granules in the cytoplasm of secretory cells containing the zymogen
Supplement
Zymogen granules are cytoplasmic vesicles containing zymogens that are very condensed. Zymogens are the various precursors of an enzyme requiring a biochemical change to become functional. Zymogens are not yet fully functional. They are still in an inactive form until such time a biochemical change occurs. An example of a biochemical change to activate zymogens is hydrolysis. Through hydrolysis, zymogens become fully functional enzymes when the active site of the zymogens is exposed and made available to react biochemically with specific molecules. To reveal their active site hydrolysis alters the configuration of the zymogen or cleaves off the inhibiting peptide unit. These granules are found in secretory cells called zymogen cells.
Zymogen is derived from the Greek zyme which means ferment and genein that means to produce. The term granules comes the Latin granulum or the little grains. Examples of zymogens are angiotensinogen, caspases, chymotrypsinogen, pacifastin, procarboxypolypeptidase, proelastase, prolipase, trypsinogen, and pepsinogen. Pepsinogen is the precursor of pepsin. It is a zymogen produced by the chief cells. They are released into HCl, which partially activates them. They become fully functional enzyme pepsin when the inhibiting peptide unit is removed from them.
See also:

Related term(s):

  • zymogen


  • You will also like...

    Gibberellins and Gibberellic Acid
    Gibberellins and Gibberellic Acid

    This tutorial describes the role of gibberellin family in plants. Find out the effects of gibberellin on plant growth an..

    Digestion and Absorption of Food
    Digestion and Absorption of Food

    The gastrointestinal system breaks down particles of ingested food into molecular forms by enzymes through digestion and..

    Adaptive Radiation
    Adaptive Radiation

    The diversification of several new species from a recent ancestral source, each adapted to utilize or occupy a vacant ad..

    Selective Breeding
    Selective Breeding

    Gregor Mendel's studies into Monohybrid and Dihybrid crossing and Charles Darwin's study of evolution and natural select..

    green plant cells
    Plant Cells vs. Animal Cells

    Plant cells have plastids essential in photosynthesis. They also have an additional layer called cell wall on their cell..

    An artistic depiction of Dunkleosteus fish
    Fish

    The sea was teeming with life. Eventually, through reproduction and continued variation, fish came about. There are over..

    Related Articles...

    No related articles found

    See all Related Topics