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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

In M. thermolithotrophicus, the 2-oxoglutarate binds in a pocket far away from the active site where the reaction takes place.

From Science Daily Jan. 22, 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

It was an active site for about three hundred years before being abandoned for reasons unknown.

From Textbooks Apr. 19, 2023

The active site is where the “action” happens.

From Textbooks Apr. 25, 2013

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