Thymidin Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
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thymidin
[ˈθaɪmɪdɪn ]
Definition
biochemistry
Thymidin is a nucleoside that is made up of the base thymine and the sugar deoxyribose. It plays a crucial role in the structure of DNA and is involved in DNA synthesis and repair. Thymidin is particularly important in cellular processes associated with cell division and is a fundamental component of the genetic material in living organisms.
Synonyms
deoxythymidine, thymine nucleotide.
Examples of usage
- Thymidin plays a key role in DNA replication.
- Researchers are studying thymidin for its effects on cell growth.
- In experiments, thymidin was used to trace DNA synthesis.
Translations
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Origin of 'thymidin'
The term thymidin originates from the combination of 'thymine', which is one of the four nucleobases in the nucleic acid of DNA, and '-dine', a suffix used in biochemistry to denote nucleosides. Thymine itself was first isolated in the 19th century and was named after thymus, the gland originally found to produce it. The name thymidin thus reflects its structural components and its significance in the biochemical processes of living cells. As research in molecular biology advanced, particularly in the mid-20th century, the understanding of thymidin's role in DNA synthesis and cell division became more pronounced, leading to its use in various scientific studies, including cancer research and genetics.