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active site

American  

noun

Biochemistry.
  1. the part of an enzyme that interacts with the substrate during catalysis.


active site Scientific  
  1. The part of an enzyme where the catalytic activity on the substrate takes place.

  2. See more at enzyme


active site Cultural  
  1. The part of an enzyme or antibody where a chemical reaction occurs.


Etymology

Origin of active site

First recorded in 1960–65


Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

At ORNL,Polo-Garzon and Zhang used a technique called steady-state isotopic transient kinetic analysis to measure catalyst efficiency -- the number of times a single active site converts a reactant into a product.

From Science Daily ● Nov. 26, 2024

The free radical generated from photochemistry comes into play here, entering the enzyme active site and engaging the enzymatic intermediate to enable new chemistry.

From Science Daily ● May 30, 2024

Forest Service stipulates that the observatory must remain an active site for research, astronomy or education — or be dismantled down to its last historic bolt.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 3, 2023

Enzymes have an active site with a unique chemical environment that fits particular chemical reactants for that enzyme, called substrates.

From Textbooks ● Apr. 25, 2013

The active site is where the “action” happens.

From Textbooks ● Apr. 25, 2013

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