Bombesin

/bɑmˈbesɪn/ noun

Definition

A 14-amino acid peptide hormone found in the brain and digestive system that affects appetite and gastric secretion.

Etymology

From 'Bombina' (a genus of fire-bellied toads) plus the suffix '-in' (indicating a chemical compound). Named because it was first discovered in toad skin extracts.

Kelly Says

Scientists found this appetite-controlling chemical in the bellies of bumpy toads, and instead of giving it a boring name, they literally named it after the toad genus—talk about honest scientific naming!

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