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oxidoreductase

oxidoreductase

9.9
A molecule in living cells that helps one chemical give electrons to another
  • noun
  • /ˌɑksɪdoʊrɪˈdʌkteɪs/
  • Specialized
translation icon : oxidoreductasa
  • The oxidoreductase family includes many enzymes involved in cellular respiration.

Examples

  • Deficiency in a specific oxidoreductase can lead to metabolic disorders.

  • Researchers discovered a novel oxidoreductase that helps plants withstand drought.

  • The oxidoreductase plays a crucial role in cellular respiration.

  • Many oxidoreductases are involved in metabolic pathways.

  • Oxidoreductases play a crucial role in cellular respiration by transferring electrons during metabolic reactions.

  • In the laboratory, scientists studied the activity of the oxidoreductase to understand its function in redox reactions.

  • Enzymes known as oxidoreductases are essential for the conversion of glucose to energy in living organisms.

Synonyms

oxidase
vsoxidoreductase
  • Specialized
2 8.9

A protein in cells that helps a chemical react with oxygen from the air

catalyses electron movement in general and not only via oxygen
dehydrogenase
vsoxidoreductase
  • Specialized
1 7.7

A protein that takes hydrogen atoms from other molecules during chemical reactions

focuses on electron transfer broadly rather than only hydrogen removal
reductase
vsoxidoreductase
  • Specialized
1 8.4

An enzyme that helps a chemical gain electrons in a reaction

covers electron transfer both ways rather than only adding electrons
cytochrome
vsoxidoreductase
  • Specialized
1 9.1

A protein in cells that helps move electrons during respiration

is a catalytic enzyme group that transfers electrons not merely a structural protein
oxygenase
vsoxidoreductase
  • Specialized
7.7

An enzyme that adds oxygen to other molecules during chemical reactions

focuses on electron transfer without necessarily adding oxygen

Surface Forms

Morphology

oxidoreductase = oxidoreduct (semi-transparent) = oxido + reduct + ase

The suffix '-ase' indicates an enzyme, but the specific function related to oxidation-reduction is specialized knowledge.

Etymology

The word oxidoreductase starts with oxid-, like oxygen, meaning 'to add oxygen', has reduct-, like reduce, meaning 'to make smaller or take away', and ends with -ase, a common ending for enzymes. So, an oxidoreductase is an enzyme that helps one molecule give tiny particles called electrons to another, which is why its name says exactly what it does.