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Glite Dictionary
cyclooxygenase-2

cyclooxygenase-2

7.9
A body protein that helps make chemicals that cause pain, swelling, and fever
  • noun
  • /saɪkloʊˈɑksɪdʒəneɪs tu/
  • Specialized
translation icon : ciclooxigenasa-2
  • Some painkillers work by blocking cyclooxygenase-2 and reducing inflammation.

Examples

  • Researchers are studying drugs that selectively inhibit cyclooxygenase-2 to manage chronic pain.

  • Excessive activity of cyclooxygenase-2 can lead to increased swelling and fever.

  • The drug inhibits cyclooxygenase-2 to reduce inflammation.

  • Many studies focus on cyclooxygenase-2 and its role in pain management.

  • Excessive activity of cyclooxygenase-2 can lead to increased swelling and fever.

  • Some painkillers work by blocking cyclooxygenase-2 and reducing inflammation.

  • Researchers are studying drugs that selectively inhibit cyclooxygenase-2 to manage chronic pain.

Synonyms

Cox-2
vscyclooxygenase-2
  • Specialized
1 5.7

A protein in the body that helps make chemicals causing swelling, pain, and fever

means the same enzyme but named in full rather than shortened form

Surface Forms

cyclooxygenase-2 singular
cyclooxygenase-2s plural

Morphology

cyclooxygenase-2 = cyclooxygenase (semi-transparent) = cyclo + oxygen + 2 + ase

The components 'cyclo-', 'oxygen', and the enzyme-forming suffix '-ase' are recognisable to learners with some scientific knowledge, but the full technical meaning and the significance of '-2' as an isoform label are not obvious to an average B1 learner.

Etymology

Cyclooxygenase-2 breaks into cyclo meaning 'ring' or 'circle', oxygen meaning 'the gas', and -ase, a common ending for enzymes like lipase. So it is an enzyme that uses oxygen on ring-shaped chemicals in the body to help make substances that cause swelling, pain, and fever.