Category:Zymogen

Zym"o*gen, n. Etym: [zyme + -gen.] (physiol. Chem.)

Defn: a mother substance, or antecedent, of an enzyme or chemical Ferment; -- applied to such substances as, not being themselves Actual ferments, may by internal changes give rise to a ferment. The pancreas contains but little ready-made ferment, though there is Present in it a body, zymogen, which gives birth to the ferment. Foster.