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enzyme definition

en·zyme (en′zīm′)

noun

any of various proteins, formed in plant and animal cells or made synthetically, that act as organic catalysts in initiating or speeding up specific chemical reactions and that usually become inactive or unstable above c. 50°C (122°F)

Etymology: Ger enzym < LGr enzymos, leavened < Gr en-, in + zymē, leaven (see zyme)

Related Forms:

  • enzymatic en′·zy·mat′ic (-zī mat′ik, -zi-) adjective or enzymic en·zy′·mic (-zī′mik)

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