flavin

/'fleivin/

Thân thiện

A scientist examines a yellow flavin pigment under a light.

Definition

Noun: 1. A type of organic compound: A yellow, water-soluble pigment that is a ketone and forms the basic structure for several important biological molecules, most notably riboflavin (vitamin B2). Flavins are derived from isoalloxazine and are involved in oxidation-reduction reactions in living organisms.

Usage

Flavins are primarily discussed in scientific contexts, particularly biochemistry and nutrition. * As a general class of compounds: "The study focused on the role of flavin coenzymes in cellular metabolism." * Referring to its chemical nature: "Riboflavin is the most common flavin found in food and essential for human health."

Examples

• "FMN (flavin mononucleotide) and FAD (flavin adenine dinucleotide) are crucial flavin-based cofactors for enzymes."
• "The characteristic yellow color of the solution was due to the presence of a flavin pigment."
• "Certain bacteria can synthesize flavin compounds."

Advanced Usage

• Flavin coenzyme: A flavin molecule that acts as a non-protein component essential for the activity of certain enzymes (flavoproteins).
  • Example: "The enzyme's activity is dependent on its bound flavin coenzyme, which shuttles electrons."
• Flavin-containing monooxygenase (FMO): A family of enzymes that use a flavin to catalyze the oxidation of various substances.
  • Example: "FMOs are important for the metabolism of drugs and toxins."

Variants and Related Words

• Riboflavin (n): Vitamin B2, the most nutritionally significant flavin, which is a precursor to the coenzymes FMN and FAD.
• Flavoprotein (n): Any protein that contains a flavin molecule (as FMN or FAD) as a prosthetic group.
• Isoalloxazine (n): The tricyclic heterocyclic organic compound that forms the core structure of all flavins.

Synonyms

• Isoalloxazine derivative (technical)
• Yellow enzyme pigment (descriptive)

Note: There are no common idioms or phrasal verbs associated with the highly technical term "flavin."

Học thuật

Noun

1. a ketone that forms the nucleus of certain natural yellow pigments like riboflavin