Definition

A type of organic compound that contains nitrogen and is known to be harmful, often found in certain foods and products, and can cause cancer in laboratory tests.

Example

Nitrosamines can be formed in some processed meats during cooking.

Conversation

Did you hear about the dangers of nitrosamine in processed foods?

Yeah, I've read that they can be really harmful over time.

It's scary to think about what we might be eating without knowing, right?

Definitely! We should pay more attention to labels and ingredients.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Nitrosamine is formed from "nitroso-" (from the Latin "nitrosus", meaning containing nitrogen) and "-amine" (from the Latin "ammonia", meaning nitrogen-containing compound). The word refers to a class of chemical compounds that contain nitrogen and are derived from amines.

Memory Tip

Think of 'nitroso-' which relates to nitrogen and '-amine' which indicates a nitrogen-containing compound. This helps you remember that nitrosamine is a compound that includes nitrogen.

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