Biological Glossary | What is Precursor?
A precursor in biology refers to a substance, cell, or cellular component that serves as a predecessor or antecedent for another substance, cell, or cellular component. This process typically occurs via natural biological mechanisms and often results in a formation of a molecule that is more active or mature than its original form.
In biochemistry, however, the term "precursor" is typically used in a more specific context to denote a chemical compound that precedes another in a metabolic pathway. This is commonly manifested in a protein precursor, where the precursor molecule undergoes specified processes and modifications to yield a functional protein. In essence, a precursor either directly or indirectly contributes to the synthesis and construction of another more complex biomolecule in a given biological system.
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