invertase

9.9

A substance that turns table sugar into two simple sugars

noun
/ɪnˈvɜrteɪs/

Specialized

: invertasa

The action of invertase converts sucrose into glucose and fructose during digestion.

Examples

Researchers extracted invertase from yeast cells for use in various food applications.
Many plants produce invertase to help with sugar metabolism.
Bakeries often use invertase to improve the sweetness and texture of confectioneries.
The enzyme invertase is crucial for sugar production.
Bakeries often use invertase to improve the sweetness and texture of confectioneries.
Researchers extracted invertase from yeast cells for use in various food applications.
The action of invertase converts sucrose into glucose and fructose during digestion.

Synonyms

sucrase

vsinvertase

Specialized

1 8.4

A protein in the body that breaks table sugar into two simple sugars

has the same meaning but is an alternative technical name

saccharase

vsinvertase

Specialized

8.8

A protein that breaks table sugar into glucose and fructose

has the same meaning but is an alternative technical name

Surface Forms

invertase singular

invertases plural

Morphology

invertase = invert (semi-transparent) = invert + ase

Formed by the verb 'invert' plus the enzyme-forming suffix '-ase'; the base meaning is clear but '-ase' is a technical, domain-specific suffix so the derivation may not be obvious to general learners.

Etymology

Invertase comes from invert ('turn around' or 'turn over') and the enzyme ending -ase, as in lactase. So invertase is easy to remember: it 'turns' the sugar sucrose into two simpler sugars, glucose and fructose.