Diiodotyrosine

/daɪˌaɪoʊdoʊˈtaɪrəsɪn/ noun

Definition

An amino acid compound containing the amino acid tyrosine with two iodine atoms attached, important in thyroid hormone production.

Etymology

From 'di-' (two), 'iodo-' (iodine), and 'tyrosine,' an amino acid. This term emerged in biochemistry as scientists studied how the thyroid uses iodine to make hormones like thyroxine.

Kelly Says

Your thyroid creates diiodotyrosine as an intermediate step before making the final thyroid hormones that control your metabolism—without iodine in your diet, this process stalls and you get health problems.

Related Words

Explore More Words

Get the Word Orb API

Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.