enzyme
UK[ˈenzaɪm]US[ˈenzaɪm]
n
A substance produced by a living organism which acts as a catalyst to bring about a specific biochemical reaction.
Morpheme Breakdown
en
zyme
en
in
zyme
leaven
Etymology
The word 'enzyme' was coined in the late 19th century from the Modern Latin 'enzyma', which itself was derived from the Greek elements 'en-', meaning 'in', and 'zymē', meaning 'leaven'. The term was created to describe the biological catalysts found 'in leaven' or yeast that were responsible for fermentation. This naming directly links the ancient, observable process of fermentation caused by yeast to the modern scientific understanding of proteins that accelerate specific chemical reactions within cells. The logic of the word captures the concept of an active agent working within a substance to induce change.
Analysis
Structure: en (in) + zyme (leaven)
en- (Greek origin, meaning 'in'); -zyme (from Greek 'zymē', meaning 'leaven' or 'ferment').
Examples
Digestive enzymes break down food in the stomach and intestines.
The enzyme's activity is highly sensitive to temperature and pH.
Researchers are studying a novel enzyme that can degrade plastic.