carbonic anhydrase

American  

[an-hahy-dreys, -dreyz] / ænˈhaɪ dreɪs, -dreɪz /

noun

Biochemistry.

1. an enzyme that catalyzes the reversible combination of carbon dioxide with water in red blood cells.

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carbonic anhydrase British  

noun

1. an enzyme in blood cells that catalyses the decomposition of carbonic acid into carbon dioxide and water, facilitating the transport of carbon dioxide from the tissues to the lungs

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Etymology

Origin of carbonic anhydrase

First recorded in 1835–45; anhydr- + -ase

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

carbonic anhydrase

By embedding a helper enzyme, carbonic anhydrase, into a porous titania structure, the researchers enabled the system to work in a simple bicarbonate solution — similar to sparkling water — without unsustainable additives.

From Science Daily ● Nov. 2, 2025

The H+ dissociates from hemoglobin and combines with bicarbonate to form carbonic acid with the help of carbonic anhydrase, which further catalyzes the reaction to convert carbonic acid back into carbon dioxide and water.

From Textbooks ● Jun. 9, 2022

At the pulmonary capillaries, bicarbonate re-enters erythrocytes in exchange for chloride ions, and the reaction with carbonic anhydrase is reversed, recreating carbon dioxide and water.

From Textbooks ● Jun. 19, 2013

A decrease of blood bicarbonate can result from the inhibition of carbonic anhydrase by certain diuretics or from excessive bicarbonate loss due to diarrhea.

From Textbooks ● Jun. 19, 2013

For this conversion, carbon dioxide is combined with water with the aid of an enzyme called carbonic anhydrase.

From Textbooks ● Jun. 19, 2013