Zymogenic
Noun
UK
/ˌzaɪ.məˈdʒen.ɪk/
US
/ˌzaɪ.məˈdʒen.ɪk/
Level: Easy - A1 (Beginner)
Definition
Able to make enzymes, special proteins, which help break down food or cause fermentation.
Example
"Yeast is a zymogenic substance."
"Zymogenic cells in the stomach help create enzymes that digest food."
"The bread rose well because of the zymogenic action of the yeast."
Explanation
Zymogenic means something that can make enzymes (special proteins acting like natural helpers in the body that speed up the breaking down of food) or cause fermentation (a process where tiny living things like yeast change sugar into gas or alcohol). For example, zymogenic cells in the stomach help make enzymes that digest food. Yeast is also zymogenic because it produces enzymes, and those enzymes help it break down sugars in food into carbon dioxide gas. In bread making, this gas makes the dough rise.