Precursor

Precursor refers to a substance from which another, usually more complex or mature substance, is formed. In biology, precursors are substances that are converted into another substance (a metabolite) in a chemical reaction. In biochemistry, the term "precursor" is used more specifically to refer to a chemical compound preceding another in a metabolic pathway, such as a protein precursor.

Biology

In biology, a precursor is a substance from which another is formed, especially by metabolic reaction. This can refer to chemical compounds that become another compound through a chemical reaction, or to cells that have not yet reached their final mature state. For example, a stem cell can be considered a precursor to the mature cells it will eventually become.

Biochemistry

In biochemistry, a precursor is a substance that is converted into another substance in the body. This can refer to substances that are used in the synthesis of compounds in the body, such as amino acids being the precursors to proteins. Precursors can also refer to substances that are converted into active forms in the body, such as the conversion of vitamin D into its active form in the body.

Medicine

In medicine, a precursor often refers to a substance or cell from which another, usually more active or mature substance or cell is formed. For example, in oncology, a precursor lesion is an abnormal growth that is likely to become cancerous if not treated. Similarly, in hematology, a precursor cell is a blood cell in an early stage of differentiation.

See also

• Metabolite
• Stem cell
• Protein synthesis
• Vitamin D

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