urease

American  

[yoor-ee-eys, -eyz] / ˈyʊər iˌeɪs, -ˌeɪz /

noun

Biochemistry.

1. an enzyme that changes urea into ammonium carbonate, occurring in bacteria, fungi, etc.

---

urease British  

/ ˈjʊərɪˌeɪs, -ˌeɪz /

noun

1. an enzyme occurring in many plants, esp fungi, that converts urea to ammonium carbonate

---

Etymology

Origin of urease

First recorded in 1895–1900; ure(a) + -ase

Example Sentences

The synthetic, membrane-less droplets contain a very high concentration of the bovine protein BSA to mimic the crowded conditions inside cells, as well as urease, an enzyme that catalyzes the breakdown of urea into ammonia.

From Science Daily • Apr. 25, 2024

"I read that there was an enzyme called urease that makes ammonia ... the literature said there were some plants that have high levels of urease inhibitors - one of those was watercress."

From BBC • Jan. 22, 2024

It works like so: A certain category of bacteria, called "urease bacteria," can use a chemical called urea as a source of nutrients.

From Salon • Mar. 5, 2023

In many places, urease bacteria and calcium are naturally prevalent.

From Salon • Mar. 5, 2023