nitrogenase

[nahy-troj-uh-neys, -neyz, nahy-truh-juh-]

noun

Biochemistry.

1. an enzyme complex that catalyzes the reduction of molecular nitrogen in the nitrogen-fixation process of bacteria.

nitrogenase

1. An enzyme of nitrogen-fixing bacteria that catalyzes the conversion of nitrogen to ammonia.

Word History and Origins

Origin of nitrogenase¹

First recorded in 1930–35; nitrogen + -ase

Example Sentences

Nitrogen-fixing bacteria generate an enzyme called nitrogenase, sometimes referred to as the "fixer" because it carries out nitrogen fixation.

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"For years, we have been finding gene fragments encoding the nitrogen-fixing nitrogenase enzyme, which appeared to belong to one particular non-cyanobacterial nitrogen fixer," says Marcel Kuypers, lead author on the study.

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This is where the microbes’ nitrogenase enzyme kicks in.

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But most of the biosphere’s usable nitrogen is the result of bacteria employing an enzyme called nitrogenase to pull nitrogen out of the air. 

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A few microorganisms possess nitrogenase enzymes that can perform this chemical reaction, and about half of the nitrogen in your body comes from these microorganisms.

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