ISOMERASE Meaning and
Definition
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An isomerase is an enzyme that catalyzes the conversion of a substrate molecule into its isomer or structural analog. Isomerization refers to the rearrangement of atoms or groups within a molecule, resulting in the formation of an isomer with the same chemical formula but different structural arrangement. Isomerases play a crucial role in various biochemical reactions by facilitating the interconversion of isomers.
Isomerases are classified based on the type of isomerization reaction they catalyze, such as racemases, epimerases, mutases, and tautomerase. Racemases convert one enantiomer (mirror-image isomer) into another. Epimerases interconvert two stereoisomers that differ only in the configuration at one or more chiral centers. Mutases facilitate the rearrangement of functional groups within a molecule. Tautomerase enzymes catalyze the conversion between two tautomeric forms (isomers that differ in the position of a hydrogen atom and the double bond).
Isomerases are involved in numerous metabolic pathways, such as the glycolysis, pentose phosphate pathway, and amino acid metabolism. They are essential for maintaining cellular homeostasis by regulating the levels of different isomers required for proper functioning. Isomerases are often used in industrial processes, such as the production of high-fructose corn syrup, to convert glucose isomers into the more desirable fructose isomer.
Overall, isomerases are versatile enzymes that enable the interconversion of isomers and play a critical role in various biological processes and industrial applications.
Common Misspellings for ISOMERASE
- usomerase
- jsomerase
- ksomerase
- osomerase
- 9somerase
- 8somerase
- iaomerase
- izomerase
- ixomerase
- idomerase
- ieomerase
- iwomerase
- isimerase
- iskmerase
- islmerase
- ispmerase
- is0merase
- is9merase
- isonerase
- Isarrease
- izmerase
- isomirase
- Isomelose
Etymology of ISOMERASE
The word "isomerase" is derived from the Greek prefix "iso-", meaning "equal" or "same", and the word "enzyme". "Iso-" is used to indicate that the isomerase enzyme catalyzes the conversion of isomers, which are molecules with the same chemical formula but different structural arrangements. The suffix "-ase" commonly denotes an enzyme, as in "amylase" or "oxidase". Therefore, "isomerase" literally means an enzyme that performs the conversion of isomers.
Similar spelling words for ISOMERASE
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