Zym"o*gen (?), n. [Zyme + -gen.] Physiol. Chem.
A mother substance, or antecedent, of an enzyme or chemical ferment; -- applied to such substances as, not being themselves actual ferments, may by internal changes give rise to a ferment.
The pancreas contains but little ready-made ferment, though there is present in it a body, zymogen, which gives birth to the ferment.
Foster.
© Webster 1913.