enzyme
pronunciation
How to pronounce enzyme in British English:
UK [ˈenzaɪm]
How to pronounce enzyme in American English:
US [ˈenzaɪm]
-
- Noun:
- any of several complex proteins that are produced by cells and act as catalysts in specific biochemical reactions
Word Origin
- enzyme (n.)
- 1881, as a biochemical term, from German Enzym, coined 1878 by German physiologist Wilhelm Kühne (1837-1900), from Modern Greek enzymos "leavened," from en "in" (see en- (2)) + zyme "leaven" (see zymurgy). Related: Enzymotic.
Example
- 1. It inhibits an enzyme involved in blood clotting .
- 2. This is an enzyme that protects dna .
- 3. Telomerase is the enzyme that builds telomeres .
- 4. That something seems to be related to an enzyme called catalase .
- 5. But lu 's virus produces an enzyme that breaks up these biofilms .