spermine: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low/Very TechnicalScientific, Medical, Biochemical
Quick answer
What does “spermine” mean?
A crystalline organic compound (a polyamine) originally isolated from semen, now known to be present in all eukaryotic cells and involved in cellular metabolism.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A crystalline organic compound (a polyamine) originally isolated from semen, now known to be present in all eukaryotic cells and involved in cellular metabolism.
A specific polyamine, C₁₀H₂₆N₄, crucial for cell growth, proliferation, and stabilization of nucleic acids; a biomarker in certain medical and biochemical contexts.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences. Pronunciations differ slightly. Spelling is identical.
Connotations
Purely technical in both regions. The historical link to semen is irrelevant in professional contexts.
Frequency
Equally rare outside specialized fields in both regions.
Grammar
How to Use “spermine” in a Sentence
The analysis detected elevated *spermine*.*Spermine* stabilises the DNA helix.The pathway synthesises *spermine* from spermidine.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “spermine” in a Sentence
noun
British English
- The team measured the spermine in the tissue samples.
- Spermine is vital for maintaining cell viability.
American English
- The lab analyzed spermine levels in the tumor.
- Spermine plays a key role in nucleic acid conformation.
adjective
British English
- The spermine concentration was recorded.
- They studied the spermine biosynthesis pathway.
American English
- A spermine assay was performed.
- The spermine-deficient mutant grew poorly.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used in biochemistry, cell biology, and medical research papers.
Everyday
Never used.
Technical
Core term in descriptions of polyamine metabolism, cancer research, and molecular biology protocols.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “spermine”
Neutral
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “spermine”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “spermine”
- Confusing 'spermine' with 'sperm' or using it in a non-technical context.
- Misspelling as 'spermin' or 'spermeen'.
- Using it as a countable noun (e.g., 'a spermine') instead of an uncountable substance.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. It was first isolated from semen, but it is a ubiquitous polyamine present in virtually all eukaryotic cells, essential for normal cellular function.
They are both polyamines. Spermidine is a precursor in the biosynthetic pathway that produces spermine. Spermine has a slightly longer molecular structure.
No. It is not a hormone secreted by glands to regulate distant tissues. It is a polyamine involved in intracellular processes like stabilizing DNA and RNA.
While some foods contain polyamines, dietary spermine is not a common concept. The body tightly regulates its polyamine levels through synthesis and breakdown.
A crystalline organic compound (a polyamine) originally isolated from semen, now known to be present in all eukaryotic cells and involved in cellular metabolism.
Spermine is usually scientific, medical, biochemical in register.
Spermine: in British English it is pronounced /ˈspɜː.miːn/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈspɝː.miːn/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
SPERMINE: A crucial compound found in all Cells, Originally from Semen, but Now Everywhere.
Conceptual Metaphor
A CELLULAR SCAFFOLDING / A MOLECULAR CHAPERONE (stabilising structures).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the term 'spermine' most appropriately used?