ISOZYME Meaning and
Definition
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An isozyme is a variant form of an enzyme that possesses a slightly different molecular structure and catalytic properties but performs the same function. Enzymes are proteins that act as biological catalysts, facilitating and speeding up chemical reactions within living organisms.
Isozymes arise due to genetic variations within the same species or between different species. These variations can be caused by mutations, gene duplications, or alternative splicing of the gene that codes for the enzyme. As a result, isozymes may have slightly different amino acid sequences, leading to structural modifications in their three-dimensional shape.
Although isozymes may differ in their primary structure, they typically retain the same overall function, acting on the same substrate and producing the same product. However, they may exhibit diverse catalytic efficiencies or kinetic properties such as reaction rates, optimum pH, or temperature ranges.
Isozymes are valuable tools in various scientific fields, including biochemistry, genetics, and medicine. They can be used to study genetic variation within a population or species, identify and differentiate between different organisms or tissues, and determine genetic disorders or diseases. By understanding the properties and characteristics of different isozymes, researchers can gain insights into enzyme regulation, evolutionary relationships, and the functional consequences of genetic variation.
Etymology of ISOZYME
The word "isozyme" is derived from the combination of two terms - "iso" and "enzyme".
The prefix "iso-" comes from the Greek word "ísos", meaning equal or similar. It is often used in scientific terminology to indicate something that is similar or identical.
The suffix "-zyme" is derived from the Greek term "enzýmo" meaning yeast or ferment. In modern usage, "enzyme" refers to proteins that catalyze chemical reactions within living organisms.
When these two terms are combined, creating "isozyme", it refers to different forms or variants of the same enzyme that have similar functions but slightly different amino acid sequences or structural characteristics.
