Definition

A type of simple protein found in plants, especially in cereal grains, that is rich in proline and soluble in alcohol.

Example

Zein is a well-known prolamin found in corn that is used in various food products.

Conversation

Have you ever heard of prolamin?

I think I read about it in a nutrition article once.

Yeah, it’s interesting how it’s found in cereals and grass seeds.

Absolutely! I didn’t realize it was such an important storage protein.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Prolamin is derived from the prefix "pro-" (meaning before or in favor of) and the root "lamin" (from Latin "lamina", meaning a thin layer or plate). The term refers to a class of plant storage proteins that are soluble in alcohol, often found in cereal grains, which can be thought of as layers of protein that are beneficial for nutrition.

Memory Tip

Think of 'pro-' meaning in favor of and 'lamin' referring to layers — prolamin is a protein that supports nutrition in layers, especially in grains.

Visually Confused Words