Definition

A white powder that is part of the process of breaking down certain substances in the body, specifically purines, which are found in both plants and animals.

Example

Hypoxanthine is produced during the metabolism of purines in the body.

Conversation

Have you ever heard of hypoxanthine?

Yeah, I think it's related to how our bodies process purines.

Exactly! It's interesting how it turns into xanthine afterwards.

Right? I love learning about the chemistry behind our metabolism.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Hypoxanthine is formed from "hypo-" (meaning under or below) and "xanthine" (from Greek "xanthos", meaning yellow). The term refers to a compound that is a derivative of xanthine, indicating it is a form of xanthine that has undergone a reduction, hence the prefix 'hypo-' suggesting it is a lesser or reduced form of xanthine.

Memory Tip

Think of 'hypo-' meaning 'under' or 'less than' and 'xanthine' relating to the yellow compound, which helps you remember that hypoxanthine is a reduced form of xanthine.

Visually Confused Words