Definition

A type of fat molecule that plays a role in the body's inflammatory response and allergic reactions.

Example

Leukotrienes are involved in asthma and other allergic conditions.

Conversation

I read that leukotrienes play a big role in allergic reactions.

Really? I had no idea they were that important.

Yeah, they can cause bronchial constriction during asthma attacks.

That makes sense! It’s interesting how our bodies react to allergens.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Leukotriene → It is formed from "leuko-" (from Greek "leukos", meaning white) and "triene" (from Greek "tri-", meaning three, and "ene", a suffix used in chemistry to denote unsaturated hydrocarbons). The word refers to a class of compounds that are white blood cell derivatives with three double bonds in their structure.

Memory Tip

Think of 'white' ('leuko-') to remember that leukotrienes are related to white blood cells, and 'triene' indicates their chemical structure with three double bonds.

Visually Confused Words