Definition of Cytochrome
1. Noun. (biochemistry) a class of hemoprotein whose principal biological function is electron transfer (especially in cellular respiration).
Definition of Cytochrome
1. Noun. Any of various related hemoproteins found in the cells of most organisms, which are an important part of cell respiration. ¹
¹ Source: wiktionary.com
Definition of Cytochrome
1. [n -S]
Medical Definition of Cytochrome
1.
Any electron transfer haemoprotein having a mode of action in which the transfer of a single electron is effected by a reversible valence change of the central iron atom of the haem prosthetic group between the +2 and +3 oxidation states.
Classified as cytochromes a in which the haem contains a formyl side chain, cytochromes b, which contain protohaem or a closely similar haem that is not covalently bound to the protein, cytochromes C in which protohaem or other haem is covalently bound to the protein and cytochromes d in which the iron tetrapyrrole has fewer conjugated double bonds than the haems have. Well known cytochromes have been numbered consecutively within groups and are designated by subscripts (beginning with no subscript), for example cytochromes C, c1, C2,. New cytochromes are named according to the wavelength in nanometres of the absorption maximum of the a band of the iron (II) form in pyridine, for example, C 555.
Origin: Gr. Chroma = colour
This entry appears with permission from the Dictionary of Cell and Molecular Biology
(11 Mar 2008)
Lexicographical Neighbors of Cytochrome
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