noun
- Plural of pterin; a class of organic compounds containing a fused pyrimidine and pyrazine ring system, found in living organisms and used in biochemical research.
Usage: technical; chemistry/biochemistry; usually used in plural form
Examples
- Pterins are important cofactors in many enzymatic reactions.
- The research team isolated several pterins from the insect wings.
- Folic acid is a well-known pterin derivative used in medicine.
- Pterins give some butterfly wings their distinctive coloration.
- Scientists study pterins to understand their role in cellular metabolism.