DEOXYRIBOZYME Meaning and
Definition
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Deoxyribozyme, also known as DNAzyme, is a type of enzyme that is composed entirely of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) molecules. Enzymes are proteins that catalyze or accelerate chemical reactions within living organisms, but deoxyribozymes are unique in that they are made up of DNA strands instead of proteins.
Deoxyribozymes were discovered in the late 1990s and have since been the subject of much scientific research. These enzymes possess the ability to bind and cleave specific DNA sequences, leading to the disruption or alteration of genetic material. This characteristic makes deoxyribozymes of interest in various fields, including biotechnology and medicine.
The structure of a deoxyribozyme typically consists of a catalytic core, which is responsible for the enzymatic activity, and binding arms that allow the DNAzyme to recognize and attach to its target sequence. Similar to other enzymes, deoxyribozymes also require cofactors or metal ions, such as magnesium, for proper functioning.
Due to their unique properties, deoxyribozymes have been investigated for a range of applications, including the detection and analysis of specific DNA or RNA sequences, as well as the development of therapeutic strategies targeting genetic disorders or viral infections. The ability to design and engineer deoxyribozymes with specificity and efficiency for various tasks holds great potential for advancing biotechnological and medical research.
Common Misspellings for DEOXYRIBOZYME
- seoxyribozyme
- xeoxyribozyme
- ceoxyribozyme
- feoxyribozyme
- reoxyribozyme
- eeoxyribozyme
- dwoxyribozyme
- dsoxyribozyme
- ddoxyribozyme
- droxyribozyme
- d4oxyribozyme
- d3oxyribozyme
- deixyribozyme
- dekxyribozyme
- delxyribozyme
- depxyribozyme
- de0xyribozyme
- de9xyribozyme
- deozyribozyme
- deocyribozyme
Etymology of DEOXYRIBOZYME
The word "deoxyribozyme" is a combination of "deoxyribo-" and "zyme".
The prefix "deoxyribo-" refers to deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), which is a molecule present in all living organisms and carries genetic information.
The term "zyme" comes from the Greek word "zymē", which means "leaven" or "ferment". In the context of the word "deoxyribozyme", "zyme" refers to an enzyme, which is a protein that acts as a biological catalyst, accelerating chemical reactions in living organisms.
Therefore, "deoxyribozyme" refers to a catalytic DNA molecule that can accelerate chemical reactions, similar to an enzyme. The term was coined in the late 1980s when the discovery and characterization of catalytic DNA molecules were made.
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