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Biology vocabulary · Molecules of Life and Metabolism

Enzyme

Meaning in biology, with examples

/ˈenzaɪm/nounCore term

In biology, enzyme means: A molecule, usually a protein, that speeds up a chemical reaction in a living thing without being used up. Each enzyme acts on a specific substrate at its active site.

In Turkish: enzim

How it is used

Often called a biological catalyst. Many enzyme names end in -ase: amylase, lactase, DNA polymerase. An enzyme catalyzes a reaction, binds a substrate, and can be inhibited or denatured. Every enzyme has an optimum temperature and pH.

Example sentences

  1. The enzyme amylase in saliva starts breaking down starch in the mouth.

  2. Above 60 °C the enzyme was denatured and lost its activity.

Common collocations

  • enzyme activity
  • active site
  • digestive enzyme
  • restriction enzyme
  • enzyme inhibitor
  • proteinA large molecule made of one or more chains of amino acids folded into a specific shape. Proteins build cell structures, speed up reactions and carry signals.
  • metabolismAll the chemical reactions that take place in a living thing to keep it alive, including breaking down food for energy and building new molecules.
  • denatureTo change the natural folded shape of a protein or DNA, for example with heat, extreme pH or chemicals, so that it can no longer work normally.
  • ATPShort for adenosine triphosphate, the molecule that cells use to store and transfer energy. Breaking off one of its phosphate groups releases energy for cell work.

This word in other fields

The same English word can have a different meaning in another field:

More terms: Molecules of Life and Metabolism

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