CARBOXYPEPTIDASES Meaning and
Definition
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Carboxypeptidases are a group of enzymes that play a crucial role in the breakdown of proteins by catalyzing the hydrolysis of peptide bonds. Specifically, they cleave the peptide bonds at the carboxyl end of a protein or polypeptide chain.
These enzymes are classified as exopeptidases because they act on the terminal amino acids of the protein substrate. Carboxypeptidases are widely distributed in various organisms, including bacteria, plants, and animals.
Carboxypeptidases are essential for protein digestion and absorption in the gastrointestinal tract. In the stomach, pepsin, which is a protease, partially breaks down proteins into smaller polypeptides. As this mixture enters the small intestine, carboxypeptidases secreted by the pancreas further break down these polypeptides into individual amino acids. This process is crucial as the small intestine is responsible for the absorption of nutrients.
The importance of carboxypeptidases extends beyond digestion. These enzymes also play a role in other physiological processes, such as blood clotting, immune response, and hormone regulation. Furthermore, certain carboxypeptidases have been implicated in various diseases, including cancer.
In summary, carboxypeptidases are enzymes responsible for breaking down proteins by cleaving peptide bonds at the carboxyl end. They play a vital role in digestion and are involved in a wide range of physiological processes throughout the body.
Common Misspellings for CARBOXYPEPTIDASES
- carboxypeptidase
- xarboxypeptidases
- varboxypeptidases
- farboxypeptidases
- darboxypeptidases
- czrboxypeptidases
- csrboxypeptidases
- cwrboxypeptidases
- cqrboxypeptidases
- caeboxypeptidases
- cadboxypeptidases
- cafboxypeptidases
- catboxypeptidases
- ca5boxypeptidases
- ca4boxypeptidases
- carvoxypeptidases
- carnoxypeptidases
- carhoxypeptidases
- cargoxypeptidases
- carbixypeptidases
Etymology of CARBOXYPEPTIDASES
The word "carboxypeptidases" is derived from the combination of three components: "carboxy-", "peptid-", and "-ase".
1. "Carboxy-" is derived from "carboxyl", which refers to the functional group -COOH found in organic compounds. It is derived from the German word "karboksyl", which combines "Karbon" (carbon) and "säure" (acid).
2. "Peptid-" is derived from the Greek word "peptos", meaning "digested" or "cooked". It is used to refer to peptides, which are short chains of amino acids.
3. "-ase" is a suffix used to denote an enzyme. It is derived from the Greek word "-asis", which means "process" or "action".
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