precursori

Precursori is the plural of precursore and designates something that precedes or serves as an early form or model. Etymology: from Latin praecursor, via French précurseur, literally “runner ahead.” In ordinary use it can describe historical forerunners, early technologies, or ideas that anticipate later developments.

In science, precursors are substances or entities that participate in or precede the formation of a product. In chemistry and biochemistry, a precursor is a compound transformed in a reaction to yield a final substance; in metabolic pathways, precursors are substrates used to synthesize biomolecules. The term is used broadly across synthesis and manufacturing.

In biology and medicine, precursor cells are immature or partially differentiated cells that can give rise to more specialized cell types; they are on a developmental lineage and are usually closer to mature cells than stem cells. The term also covers molecular precursors that precede a bioactive molecule.

In pharmacology, a precursor may refer to a compound that is converted into an active drug in the body, sometimes referred to as a prodrug in common usage.

In technology and culture, precursors denote earlier devices, prototypes, or movements that foreshadow later innovations.

See also: precursor, progenitor, prodrug, metabolic precursor.