enzyme
nounfemininetécnico/ẽˈzimɐ/medium
en·zi·ma
Definition
A protein that acts as a biological catalyst, speeding up specific chemical reactions in living organisms without being consumed in the process.
Pepsin is an enzyme in the stomach that breaks down proteins.
Industrial processes often use enzymes to make chemical reactions more efficient.
Common collocations
digestive enzymeliver enzymeenzymatic activityenzyme inhibitor
Etymology
Do grego 'enzymē', através do alemão 'Enzym'.