Alcoholase is a term used to describe an enzyme that facilitates the breakdown and metabolism of alcoholic molecules in organisms. Its spelling can be deciphered using the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) transcription, which denotes the pronunciation of a word. In IPA, alcoholase is transcribed as /ˈælkəʊhɒleɪz/ - with stress on the first syllable and the last syllable pronounced as "layz". This enzyme is essential in the process of alcohol breakdown and is produced by various microorganisms and even humans. So, correct spelling of alcoholase is crucial in the scientific community.
Alcoholase is a term used to describe an enzyme that catalyzes the conversion of the alcohol group in a compound to an aldehyde or ketone, usually through oxidation. It belongs to the class of oxidoreductases, specifically those acting on the CH-OH group of donor with NAD+ or NADP+ as an acceptor. This enzyme plays a significant role in various biological processes and is commonly found in both prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms.
Alcoholases are particularly important in the metabolism of alcohols, as they facilitate the breakdown of alcohols into smaller molecules that can be further utilized by the cell for energy production or biosynthesis. They are involved in numerous metabolic pathways, including alcohol fermentation, alcohol detoxification, and the metabolism of fatty acids.
One well-known example of an alcoholase is alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH), an enzyme that is crucial for the metabolism of ethanol in humans and many other organisms. ADH converts ethanol into acetaldehyde, which can be further metabolized to acetate. This enzyme is essential for alcohol metabolism and is responsible for the symptoms associated with alcohol consumption, such as intoxication.
Overall, alcoholases are essential enzymes involved in the metabolism of alcohols, playing a crucial role in energy production and detoxification processes. Their activity and regulation are of significant importance in understanding and managing conditions related to alcohol metabolism and alcohol abuse.
A ferment converting lactic acid into alcohol.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.