noun
- a protein produced by living cells that speeds up chemical reactions in organisms without being consumed in the process
Usage: commonly used in biology and biochemistry
Examples
- Digestive enzymes break down food into smaller molecules that the body can absorb.
- Amylase is an enzyme that helps break down starch into sugar.
- Without enzymes, many chemical reactions in cells would occur too slowly to sustain life.
- Scientists are studying how enzymes can be used to clean up oil spills.
- The enzyme lactase allows people to digest milk and dairy products.
- Enzymes are essential for photosynthesis in plants.