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amylase

[ am-uh-leys, -leyz ]
/ ˈæm əˌleɪs, -ˌleɪz /
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noun Biochemistry.
any of a widely distributed class of enzymes that catalyze the hydrolysis of starch, glycogen, and related polysaccharides to oligosaccharides, maltose, or glucose.
any of several digestive enzymes that break down starches.
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Origin of amylase

First recorded in 1890–95; amyl- + -ase
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use amylase in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for amylase

amylase
/ (ˈæmɪˌleɪz) /

noun
any of several enzymes that hydrolyse starch and glycogen to simple sugars, such as glucose. They are present in saliva
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Scientific definitions for amylase

amylase
[ ămə-lās′ ]

Any of various enzymes that cause starches to break down into smaller sugars, especially maltose, by hydrolysis. There are two types of amylases, alpha-amylases and beta-amylases. In humans, an alpha-amylase known as ptyalin is present in saliva and is also produced by the pancreas for secretion into the small intestine. Beta-amylases are found in bacteria, molds, yeasts, and the seeds of plants.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
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