How Do You Spell CARBOXYLASE?

Pronunciation: [kˈɑːbəksˌɪle͡ɪs] (IPA)

Carboxylase is a word used in biochemistry to refer to an enzyme that catalyzes the transfer of carbon dioxide to a substrate. The word is spelled kɑːbɑːksɪleɪs in IPA phonetic transcription, and is actually made up of two parts: "carboxyl" and "-ase." The first part, carboxyl, refers to the functional group that characterizes several organic acids, such as amino acids and fatty acids. The suffix "-ase" indicates an enzyme, or a protein that accelerates chemical reactions. Together, "carboxylase" describes an enzyme that modifies molecules by adding a carboxyl group.

CARBOXYLASE Meaning and Definition

1. A carboxylase is an enzyme that facilitates the addition of a carboxyl group (COOH) to a substrate molecule. This process is known as carboxylation and is an essential step in many metabolic pathways. Carboxylases are classified under the larger category of lyases, which are enzymes involved in various types of chemical reactions.

   The carboxylase reaction involves the transfer of a carboxyl group from a donor molecule, usually biotin or a coenzyme (such as ATP or acyl CoA), to an acceptor substrate. The carboxyl group is attached to the substrate through the formation of a covalent bond. This addition of a carboxyl group can have various biological implications, such as altering the function or structure of the substrate molecule.

   Carboxylases are found in organisms ranging from bacteria and archaea to plants and animals. They play crucial roles in numerous biological processes, including fatty acid synthesis, amino acid metabolism, and the production of important molecules like glucose. Without carboxylases, these metabolic pathways would be unable to proceed, leading to severe consequences for the organism.

   In summary, a carboxylase is an enzyme that catalyzes the addition of a carboxyl group to a substrate molecule. This enzymatic reaction plays a fundamental role in many metabolic pathways, thereby contributing to the overall functioning and survival of organisms.

Common Misspellings for CARBOXYLASE

• carboxylene

Etymology of CARBOXYLASE

The word "carboxylase" is derived from the combination of two roots: "carboxyl" and "ase".

The term "carboxyl" originates from the word "carboxylate", which refers to a salt or ester of carboxylic acid. "Carboxyl" is a combination of two terms: "carbo", derived from the Latin word "carbo" meaning "coal" or "charcoal", and "oxy", which is a combining form of "oxygen". Therefore, "carboxyl" can be understood as an oxygenated form of carbon.

The suffix "ase" in biochemistry typically denotes an enzyme. An enzyme is a protein that accelerates chemical reactions in the body. The term "ase" comes from the Greek word "áseia", meaning "action" or "process".

Plural form of CARBOXYLASE is CARBOXYLASES