How Do You Spell PEROXIDASE?

Pronunciation: [pˈɛɹəksˌɪde͡ɪs] (IPA)

The word "peroxidase" (/pəˈrɒksɪdeɪz/) refers to a class of enzymes that catalyze the breakdown of hydrogen peroxide into water and oxygen. The spelling of this word follows the standard English pronunciation rules, with the emphasis on the second syllable and the letter "x" indicating the presence of the consonant cluster /ks/. The final "e" is silent, and the stress pattern is iambic (unstressed-stressed), with the first syllable pronounced as a schwa (/ə/). Overall, the spelling of "peroxidase" reflects the word's Greek roots and English pronunciation conventions.

PEROXIDASE Meaning and Definition

  1. Peroxidase is an enzyme that is commonly found in living organisms, including plants and animals. It belongs to the larger group of enzymes known as oxidoreductases, which play a crucial role in various biological processes. The primary function of peroxidase is to catalyze the oxidation of various substrates using hydrogen peroxide as a co-substrate.

    Peroxidases are characterized by their ability to break down hydrogen peroxide into water and oxygen molecules, thus preventing the accumulation of this potentially harmful molecule within cells. They achieve this by utilizing a variety of electron donors, which differ depending on the specific type of peroxidase and its intended function within an organism.

    These enzymes are involved in numerous physiological processes, including immune defense, cell signaling, and the metabolism of various substances. In plants, peroxidases are particularly important during oxidative stress responses, as they assist in removing reactive oxygen species, which can damage cell structures and disturb cellular processes.

    The structure of peroxidase enzymes typically includes a heme group, which is the active site responsible for carrying out the catalytic reactions. The heme group contains an iron ion, which is coordinated by various amino acid residues within the protein structure.

    In summary, peroxidase is an enzyme that plays a vital role in oxidizing various substrates using hydrogen peroxide as a co-substrate. It is instrumental in preventing the accumulation of hydrogen peroxide and maintaining cellular homeostasis.

  2. Catalase.

    A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.

Common Misspellings for PEROXIDASE

Etymology of PEROXIDASE

The word "peroxidase" is derived from two components: "peroxide" and the suffix "-ase".

The term "peroxide" refers to a compound containing the peroxide ion (O2²⁻) or any compound that can generate the peroxide ion. It comes from the Latin words "per", meaning "through" or "thoroughly", and "oxide", referring to a compound formed by the combination of oxygen with one or more elements.

The suffix "-ase" is used in biochemistry to indicate an enzyme. It derives from the Greek suffix "-asis", which means "process", and was later adapted in scientific terminology to refer to enzymes that catalyze specific reactions.

Therefore, "peroxidase" is a combination of "peroxide" and "-ase", indicating an enzyme that catalyzes the breakdown, synthesis, or modification of peroxides.

Similar spelling words for PEROXIDASE

Plural form of PEROXIDASE is PEROXIDASES

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