An enzyme is a chemical substance that is found in living creatures which produces changes in other substances without being changed itself.
[technical]
enzyme in British English
(ˈɛnzaɪm)
noun
any of a group of complex proteins or conjugated proteins that are produced by living cells and act as catalysts in specific biochemical reactions
Derived forms
enzymatic (ˌɛnzaɪˈmætɪk, -zɪ-) or enzymic (ɛnˈzaɪmɪk, -ˈzɪm-)
adjective
Word origin
C19: from Medieval Greek enzumos leavened, from Greek en-2 + zumē leaven
enzyme in American English
(ˈɛnˌzaɪm)
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)
Ger enzym < LGr enzymos, leavened < Gr en-, in + zymē, leaven (see zyme)
Examples of 'enzyme' in a sentence
enzyme
Drugs that block key enzymes involved in tissue inflammation.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
If the enzyme is blocked, far less sugar gets absorbed.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Another theory is that it blocks the enzymes that encourage fat stores.
The Sun (2008)
The pancreatic juice contains enzymes which continue the digestion of food arriving from the stomach.
McCahill, T. A. Biology Basic Facts (1982)
The enzymes they contain are a significant cause of asthma and other allergies.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
The enzymes the plant uses to digest flies are very weak.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
It blocks the action of an enzyme used to digest fat.
The Sun (2011)
Unusually for digestive enzymes it is produced in the gut.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
It also encourages the body to make enzymes protecting blood vessels.
The Sun (2008)
Extra energy is burnt after eating because of the increased activity of digestive enzymes and faster blood flow.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
So the body has no time to prepare for the influx of food with the production of stomach acid and digestive enzymes.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
We make fewer digestive enzymes the older we get, which makes larger meals harder to digest.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Excess copper The body needs traces of copper to make enzymes.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
There are thousands of enzymes, each specific for its individual reaction.
Schneider, Hermann & Schneider, Leo The Harper Dictionary of Science in Everyday Language (1988)
Avoid using pineapple, kiwi and papaya because they contain an enzyme that interferes with the setting ability of gelatine.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
Alcohol blocks the enzyme's production.
Erdmann, Robert & Jones, Meirion Fats, Nutrition and Health (1991)
A variety of products are readily available from better health stores which contain all the digestive enzymes from plant sources.
Chaitow, Leon Bad Breath (1994)
When they are inserted into other cells this process appears to protect them against chemicals called restriction enzymes, which defend against viruses.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
This can result from damage to the lining of the small intestine, or a reduction of digestive enzymes due to an intestinal infection.
MacIntyre, Anne M. E. Post-Viral Fatigue Syndrome - How To Live With It (1989)
A The pancreas is a gland near the stomach that produces important digestive enzymes.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
What they all have in common is that they use the same enzyme to stick carbon dioxide on to PEP.
Oliver Morton Eating the Sun: How Plants Power the Planet (2007)
The drug targets an enzyme, blocking it from producing testosterone anywhere in the body, including the tumour.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
If you or your doctor think you have poor absorption of food due to lack of digestive enzymes, then taking a preparation of these makes sense.
MacIntyre, Anne M. E. Post-Viral Fatigue Syndrome - How To Live With It (1989)
In other languages
enzyme
British English: enzyme NOUN
An enzyme is a chemical substance that is found in living creatures which produces changes in other substances without being changed itself.
American English: enzyme
Brazilian Portuguese: enzima
Chinese: 酶
European Spanish: enzima
French: enzyme
German: Enzym
Italian: enzima
Japanese: 酵素
Korean: 효소
European Portuguese: enzima
Latin American Spanish: enzima
All related terms of 'enzyme'
yellow enzyme
any of several yellow respiratory enzymes that are members of the flavoprotein group, found naturally as in yeast
enzyme deficiency
failure of the body to produce a specific enzy
restriction enzyme
any of several enzymes produced by bacteria as a defence against viral infection and commonly used to cut DNA for genetic manipulation or diagnosis
enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay
enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay : an immunological technique for accurately measuring the amount of a substance, for example in a blood sample
ACE inhibitor
any one of a class of drugs , including captopril , enalapril , and ramipril, that cause the arteries to widen by preventing the synthesis of angiotensin : used to treat high blood pressure and heart failure