chymotrypsin: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very LowTechnical/Scientific
Quick answer
What does “chymotrypsin” mean?
A digestive enzyme produced in the pancreas that breaks down proteins in the small intestine.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A digestive enzyme produced in the pancreas that breaks down proteins in the small intestine.
A specific serine protease that hydrolyzes peptide bonds preferentially at the carboxyl side of aromatic amino acids (tyrosine, tryptophan, phenylalanine). In biochemistry and medicine, it is often used in laboratory research, protein sequencing, and certain therapeutic applications.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or spelling. Pronunciation may show minor variations in vowel length or stress.
Connotations
None beyond the scientific definition.
Frequency
Equally rare and specialized in both dialects.
Grammar
How to Use “chymotrypsin” in a Sentence
Chymotrypsin + verb (cleaves, hydrolyzes, digests) + objectSubject + is treated/digested with + chymotrypsinThe activity/inhibition of + chymotrypsinVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “chymotrypsin” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The protein sample was chymotrypsinated overnight.
- We need to chymotrypsinise the mixture to analyse the fragments.
American English
- The sample was chymotrypsinated for analysis.
- Researchers chymotrypsinized the substrate to observe cleavage.
adverb
British English
- The protein was digested chymotryptically.
American English
- The bond was cleaved chymotryptically.
adjective
British English
- The chymotrypsin-like activity was measured.
- A chymotrypsin digestion assay was performed.
American English
- The chymotrypsin-like activity was measured.
- The chymotrypsin digestion assay is standard.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used in biochemistry, molecular biology, physiology, and medical research papers and textbooks.
Everyday
Extremely unlikely to be encountered.
Technical
Core term in enzymology, digestive physiology, and laboratory protocols for protein digestion.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “chymotrypsin”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “chymotrypsin”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “chymotrypsin”
- Misspelling as 'chymotripsin' (missing 'p'), 'chymotrysin' (missing 'p'), or 'chimotrypsin'.
- Incorrect pronunciation with stress on the first syllable (/ˈkaɪməʊ.../).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, they are both pancreatic serine proteases, but they cleave peptide bonds at different amino acid sequences. Trypsin cleaves after basic amino acids (lysine, arginine), while chymotrypsin cleaves after aromatic ones.
It derives from 'chymo-' (referring to chyme, the partially digested food from the stomach) and 'trypsin', indicating its enzymatic function and relationship to other proteases.
Yes, pancreatic insufficiency, often due to conditions like cystic fibrosis or chronic pancreatitis, can lead to deficient production of chymotrypsin and other digestive enzymes, causing malabsorption.
Yes, purified forms are sometimes used in certain anti-inflammatory preparations (e.g., topical ointments) and, more commonly, as a crucial reagent in biomedical research and diagnostics.
A digestive enzyme produced in the pancreas that breaks down proteins in the small intestine.
Chymotrypsin is usually technical/scientific in register.
Chymotrypsin: in British English it is pronounced /ˌkʌɪmə(ʊ)ˈtrɪpsɪn/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌkaɪmoʊˈtrɪpsɪn/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'CHYMO' (like chyme, the semi-fluid stomach content) + 'TRYPSIN' (another pancreatic enzyme). It's the enzyme that works on chyme.
Conceptual Metaphor
A molecular pair of scissors (for cutting peptide bonds).
Practice
Quiz
Chymotrypsin is primarily active in which part of the human body?