endogenous

(ĕn-dŏj'ə-nəs)
adj.

1. Produced or growing from within.
2. Originating or produced within an organism, tissue, or cell: endogenous secretions.

endogenously en·dog'e·nous·ly adv.
endogeny en·dog'e·ny n.

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In the World Anti-Doping Code, applied to a substance that is capable of being produced by the body naturally. Compare exogenous.

Endogenous means that which comes from the inside. Examples of endogenous enzymes are those that are found within yeast cells. These enzymes, which begin the autolysis or self-hydrolysis process, are responsible for the development of autolyzed yeasts. Similarly, the enzymes inside onion cells also begin the process of producing sulfur compounds once the cells are injured. See Enzymes, Autolysis.

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arising or developing within an organism, tissue, or cell, and excluding any consequences of externally added agents or materials.
—endogenously adv.

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Produced within or caused by factors within the organism.

• e. analgesic system — includes the secretion by the brain of endorphins in response to the central perception of pain.
• e. calcium — calcium contributed to the feces by the intestinal secretions.
• e. feline oncornavirus — see rd114 virus.
• e. magnesium — magnesium contributed to the feces by the intestinal secretions.
• e. pain — caused by factors within the body, e.g. stretching of mesentery.
• e. sarcoma virus — see feline sarcoma virus.

(en-doj′ə-nəs)
adj

Originating within.

For a list of words related to endogenous, see:

• Environment, Ecology, and Animal Behavior - endogenous: (adj) originating or developing from within the organism

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See words rhyming with "endogenous."

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