Definition

A substance that is similar to a necessary compound in the body and can disrupt normal biological processes by blocking or replacing it.

Example

Doctors sometimes use antimetabolites to treat certain types of cancer by interfering with the growth of cancer cells.

Conversation

Have you heard about how antimetabolites are used in cancer treatment?

Yeah, I read that they mimic normal metabolites to disrupt cell growth.

Exactly! It's fascinating how they can trick the cells like that.

Totally, it shows how complex our bodies are and how medicine adapts.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Antimetabolite → It is formed from "anti-" (meaning against) and "metabolite" (from Greek "metabolē", meaning change or transformation). The word refers to a substance that works against or interferes with metabolic processes.

Memory Tip

Think of 'anti-' meaning against, and 'metabolite' relating to change in the body — an antimetabolite is something that works against normal changes in metabolism.

Visually Confused Words