cytochrome
noun
cy·to·chrome
ˈsī-tə-ˌkrōm 
: any of several intracellular hemoprotein respiratory pigments that are enzymes functioning in electron transport as carriers of electrons
Examples of cytochrome in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Cannabis compounds, especially THC and CBD, are metabolized in the liver using the cytochrome P450 enzyme system—the same pathway many medications rely on.
—
Lauryn Higgins, Flow Space, 30 June 2025
For example, this can be seen in the novel bacteria’s cytochrome, a type of protein involved in electron transport.
—Ritsuko Kawai, Wired News, 5 May 2025
However, the remaining portion is converted by cytochrome P450 enzymes into N-acetyl-p-benzoquinone imine (NAPQI), a toxic metabolite.
—Ella Jeffries, Smithsonian Magazine, 28 Mar. 2025
Taking a medication that lowers cholesterol, such as statins, may impact the natural creation of vitamin D.
Statins and vitamin D are also metabolized (broken down) by the same liver enzyme, cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4).
—Kirstyn Hill, Pharmd, Mph, Health, 13 Jan. 2025
To simulate the behavior of cytochrome P450, a family of enzymes largely responsible for drug metabolism and therefore how patients will respond to drugs, classical computers would require colossal amounts of computing power.
—Charina Chou, Foreign Affairs, 7 Jan. 2025
Metoprolol, but not atenolol, is broken down by a liver enzyme called cytochrome P450 2D6.
—Alex Yampolsky, Verywell Health, 11 July 2024
But for some reason, the nematode version of cytochrome P450 instead turns selectivin into a toxic chemical.
—Byerik Stokstad, science.org, 25 May 2023
Myoglobin binds and stores oxygen from the then passes it along to a fat-oxidizing cytochrome that generates ATP to fuel the cell.
—Mai Nguyen, Discover Magazine, 23 Sep. 2015
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Lauryn Higgins, Flow Space, 30 June 2025
For example, this can be seen in the novel bacteria’s cytochrome, a type of protein involved in electron transport.
—Ritsuko Kawai, Wired News, 5 May 2025
However, the remaining portion is converted by cytochrome P450 enzymes into N-acetyl-p-benzoquinone imine (NAPQI), a toxic metabolite.
—Ella Jeffries, Smithsonian Magazine, 28 Mar. 2025
Taking a medication that lowers cholesterol, such as statins, may impact the natural creation of vitamin D.
Statins and vitamin D are also metabolized (broken down) by the same liver enzyme, cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4).
—Kirstyn Hill, Pharmd, Mph, Health, 13 Jan. 2025
To simulate the behavior of cytochrome P450, a family of enzymes largely responsible for drug metabolism and therefore how patients will respond to drugs, classical computers would require colossal amounts of computing power.
—Charina Chou, Foreign Affairs, 7 Jan. 2025
Metoprolol, but not atenolol, is broken down by a liver enzyme called cytochrome P450 2D6.
—Alex Yampolsky, Verywell Health, 11 July 2024
But for some reason, the nematode version of cytochrome P450 instead turns selectivin into a toxic chemical.
—Byerik Stokstad, science.org, 25 May 2023
Myoglobin binds and stores oxygen from the then passes it along to a fat-oxidizing cytochrome that generates ATP to fuel the cell.
—Mai Nguyen, Discover Magazine, 23 Sep. 2015
Cite this Entry
“Cytochrome.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cytochrome. Accessed 10 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
cytochrome
noun
cy·to·chrome
ˈsīt-ə-ˌkrōm
: any of several iron-containing pigments that transfer electrons to molecules of oxygen in the living cell
Medical Definition
cytochrome
noun
cy·to·chrome
ˈsīt-ə-ˌkrōm
: any of several intracellular hemoprotein respiratory pigments that are enzymes functioning in electron transport as carriers of electrons
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