active site
1
4.0
- noun
- /ˈæktɪv saɪt/
- Specialized
:
sitio activo
- So we see that these serine protease active sites are down in this region here.
- active site structure
Examples
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Specifically, IN and HCV polymerase possess a similar active site amino acid geometry, and both utilize two magnesium ions in their catalysis.
Blog text (19) -
An enzyme acts by inducing a strain on a substrate bound to its active site (Fersht 1992).
Academic text (1992) -
In either case, the enzyme contained at most one metal per active site.
Academic text (2015) -
Also bound near the active site is an NAD molecule.
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Thus, the oxygen vacancies would serve as the active sites for the surface oxygen species and boost the dissociation of CO2 to CO.
Academic text (2018) -
For instance, the existence of different amino acids on the active sites of MMOH and RNR has not been considered.
Academic text (2001) -
The halogens on the first phenolic ring are easily accommodated within the active site of SULT1E1.
Academic text (2013) -
It has two catalytic domains, the ribonuclease H active site and the polymerase active site.
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Additionally, darunavir and amprenavir occupy a highly overlapping volume in the protease active site.
Blog text (19) -
A reaction occurs at the active site, producing an enzyme-product complex that facilitates metabolic processes.
Surface Forms
Morphology
The noun phrase is compositionally built from 'active' (performing an action or producing an effect) + 'site' (a place), so a learner who knows both words can infer it means the place where activity occurs — here, the region where a reaction or binding happens. While the biochemical specifics are technical, the basic place-of-activity sense is directly derivable from the constituents.
Etymology
The compound noun active site paints a simple picture: active + site is the small 'place' on an enzyme that does the work, where another molecule fits like a key in a lock and the chemical reaction happens. That's why active site means the tiny spot on the enzyme where the reaction or 'attachment' takes place.