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Glite Dictionary
muramidase

muramidase

9.9
A natural substance in saliva, sweat, and tears that breaks the cell walls of some bacteria
  • noun
  • /ˌmjʊəˈræmɪdeɪs/
  • Specialized
translation icon : muramidasa
  • Saliva contains muramidase, which helps protect the mouth from bacterial infections.

Examples

  • Scientists studied the activity of muramidase against harmful bacteria in human tears.

  • A deficiency of muramidase may reduce the body's first line of defense against pathogens.

  • Saliva contains muramidase to help fight infections.

  • The muramidase enzyme plays a crucial role in immunity.

  • Saliva contains muramidase, which helps protect the mouth from bacterial infections.

  • A deficiency of muramidase may reduce the body's first line of defense against pathogens.

  • Scientists studied the activity of muramidase against harmful bacteria in human tears.

Synonyms

lysozyme
vsmuramidase
  • Specialized
8.3

A protein in tears, saliva and sweat that kills some bacteria

is described by presence in saliva sweat and tears rather than protection
autolysin
vsmuramidase
  • Specialized
9.9

A protein that breaks the walls of bacteria and makes them burst

focuses on wall breakdown in bodily fluids to protect hosts not internal self destruction

Surface Forms

muramidase singular
muramidases plural

Morphology

muramidase = muramid + ase

The element 'muramid' is a specialized technical combining form (relating to muramic components of bacterial cell walls) unfamiliar to average learners; while '-ase' marks an enzyme, the overall meaning is not derivable by a B1 learner from its parts.

Etymology

The word muramidase comes from the root muram-, which means 'wall', and the ending -ase, which means 'enzyme', and you can see the same root in the word mural, meaning 'a wall painting'. So a muramidase is an enzyme that helps 'break down' the cell 'walls' of certain bacteria, which is why it is found in saliva, sweat, and tears.