noun
enzyme
EHN-zym
noun
1
A protein produced by living cells that speeds up a specific chemical reaction in the body without being used up itself.
"Enzymes in saliva start breaking down starch as soon as you begin chewing."
"The lab tested how temperature affected enzyme activity."
How to Use Enzyme
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA biological molecule, usually a protein, that speeds up chemical reactions in living things.
Common pairings
digestive enzyme
enzyme activity
enzyme deficiency
Word Forms
enzymes plural
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_____ in saliva start breaking down starch as soon as you begin chewing.
Etymology
Coined in 1878 by German physiologist Wilhelm Kuhne from Greek en- ("in") plus zyme ("leaven, yeast").