the region in an enzyme molecule in which the reactive groups that participate in its action are juxtaposed
Also called: active site
active site in American English
noun
Biochemistry
the part of an enzyme that interacts with the substrate during catalysis
Word origin
[1960–65]This word is first recorded in the period 1960–65. Other words that entered Englishat around the same time include: Pap test, buyback, disco, pop art, zip code
Examples of 'active site' in a sentence
active site
During crystallization, protein molecules loosely pack together, and this organization permits the diffusion of small molecules to the active sites of proteins.