DEHYDROGENASES Meaning and
Definition
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Dehydrogenases are a group of enzymes that catalyze the transfer of hydrogen atoms from a substrate molecule to an acceptor molecule. This transfer of hydrogen atoms is an essential step in various metabolic processes, including cellular respiration and the breakdown of nutrients.
Dehydrogenases are named based on the specific substrate they act upon. For instance, alcohol dehydrogenase is an enzyme that catalyzes the oxidation of alcohols, resulting in the removal of a hydrogen atom and production of an aldehyde or ketone. Similarly, glucose dehydrogenase is an enzyme that facilitates the oxidation of glucose to form gluconic acid.
These enzymes are typically classified as oxidoreductases, as they participate in redox reactions where a hydrogen atom is transferred from one molecule to another. The transfer of hydrogen atoms is coupled with the transfer of electrons, resulting in the oxidation of the substrate and reduction of the acceptor molecule.
The activity of dehydrogenases is highly specific, as each enzyme is designed to act upon a particular substrate. They often require coenzymes, such as NAD+ (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide) or NADP+ (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate), which serve as electron carriers and facilitate the transfer of hydrogen atoms.
Dehydrogenases play a vital role in numerous biochemical pathways, including energy production, biosynthesis, and detoxification. They are essential for the proper functioning of living organisms, as they enable the conversion of molecules into forms that can be utilized for various cellular processes.
Common Misspellings for DEHYDROGENASES
- sehydrogenases
- xehydrogenases
- cehydrogenases
- fehydrogenases
- rehydrogenases
- eehydrogenases
- dwhydrogenases
- dshydrogenases
- ddhydrogenases
- drhydrogenases
- d4hydrogenases
- d3hydrogenases
- degydrogenases
- debydrogenases
- denydrogenases
- dejydrogenases
- deuydrogenases
- deyydrogenases
- dehtdrogenases
- dehgdrogenases
Etymology of DEHYDROGENASES
The word "dehydrogenases" is formed by combining the prefix "de-" meaning removal or reduction, the root word "hydrogen" which refers to an element on the periodic table, and the suffix "-ases" which indicates that it is an enzyme.
The term "dehydrogenase" specifically comes from the Greek words "de-", meaning removal or loss, "hydor", meaning water, and "genes", meaning producing. Thus, the etymology of "dehydrogenase" can be understood as an enzyme that removes or produces hydrogen (water) during a chemical reaction.
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