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Glite Dictionary
thiamine pyrophosphate

thiamine pyrophosphate

5.8
A substance made from vitamin B1 that helps parts of cells turn food into energy
  • noun
  • /ˈθaɪəˌmiːn ˌpaɪroʊˈfɔːsfeɪt/
  • Specialized
translation icon : piruvato de tiamina
  • Thiamine pyrophosphate is essential for converting carbohydrates into energy during cellular respiration.

Examples

  • Deficiency in thiamine pyrophosphate can lead to neurological problems due to impaired cellular respiration.

  • Thiamine pyrophosphate is required for the proper functioning of several enzymes in the Krebs cycle.

  • The enzyme's activity depends on the presence of thiamine pyrophosphate as a cofactor.

  • The body needs thiamine pyrophosphate for energy production.

  • Many enzymes require thiamine pyrophosphate as a cofactor.

  • Cells need thiamine pyrophosphate to effectively participate in the Krebs cycle.

  • A lack of thiamine pyrophosphate may hinder the body's metabolic processes.

Synonyms

cocarboxylase
vsthiamine pyrophosphate
  • Specialized
9.2

A molecule made from vitamin B1 that helps cells turn food into energy

is a description of that coenzyme as derived from vitamin B1

Surface Forms

thiamine pyrophosphate singular
thiamine pyrophosphates plural

Morphology

thiamine + pyrophosphate

The term names a chemical compound made by combining 'thiamine' with a 'pyrophosphate' group, so its meaning as the pyrophosphate derivative of vitamin B1 (i.e., the coenzyme form) is directly derivable from the constituents. Although technical, this is a systematic compositional chemical naming pattern found across languages, so a learner who knows both parts can infer the MWE's basic meaning.

Etymology

Thiamine pyrophosphate gets its name from the parts that make it: thiamine is vitamin B1 and pyrophosphate means two phosphate pieces joined together, so you can picture vitamin B1 with two small phosphate parts attached. That's why this molecule acts as a 'helper' for enzymes that help cells 'make energy'.