Aequorin is a term that is often used in the field of biology and chemistry. It is a protein that is found in certain species of jellyfish and is used to study the activity of calcium ions in cells. In this article, we will explore the definition and meaning of aequorin, as well as its origins and associations.
Definitions
Aequorin is a photoprotein that is found in the bioluminescent jellyfish Aequorea victoria. It is a calcium-sensitive protein that emits a blue-green light when it binds to calcium ions. Aequorin is often used as a molecular probe to study the activity of calcium ions in cells.
Origin
The word aequorin comes from the Latin word “aequor,” which means “sea” or “ocean.” Aequorin was first discovered in the 1960s by a group of scientists studying the bioluminescence of jellyfish. They found that aequorin was responsible for the blue-green light emitted by the jellyfish.
Meaning in different dictionaries
According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, aequorin is defined as “a bioluminescent protein that is found in certain jellyfish and is used as a molecular probe to study the activity of calcium ions in cells.”
The Oxford English Dictionary defines aequorin as “a protein that is found in certain species of jellyfish and is used to study the activity of calcium ions in cells.”
Associations
Aequorin is often associated with bioluminescent jellyfish, as it is found in the species Aequorea victoria. It is also associated with the study of calcium ions in cells, as it is used as a molecular probe to monitor calcium activity.
Synonyms
There are no commonly used synonyms for aequorin, as it is a specific protein found in jellyfish.
Antonyms
There are no commonly used antonyms for aequorin, as it is a specific protein found in jellyfish.
The same root words
The root word of aequorin is “aequor,” which means “sea” or “ocean.” Other words that share this root include “aquatic,” “aquarium,” and “aquamarine.”
Example Sentences
- The scientists used aequorin to study the calcium activity in the cells of the jellyfish.
- Aequorin is a photoprotein that emits a blue-green light when it binds to calcium ions.
- The bioluminescence of the jellyfish is caused by the presence of aequorin in their bodies.