active site

American  

noun

Biochemistry.

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

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active site Scientific  

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

2. See more at enzyme

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active site Cultural  

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

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Etymology

Origin of active site

First recorded in 1960–65

Example Sentences

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 turnover of hydrogen takes place at the active site, the H-cluster, inside the enzyme," explains Thomas Happe.

From Science Daily • Oct. 30, 2023

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

In contrast, in allosteric activation, the activator molecule modifies the shape of the active site to allow a better fit of the substrate.

From Textbooks • Apr. 25, 2013

Since enzymes are proteins, there is a unique combination of amino acid side chains within the active site.

From Textbooks • Apr. 25, 2013