EN-zyme
ENZYME A protein that acts as a biological catalyst, speeding up chemical reactions in living organisms.
20
Points in Scrabble
Base tile values • No multipliers applied
An enzyme is a biological catalyst, typically a protein, that speeds up specific chemical reactions in living organisms without being consumed in the process. Enzymes are essential for life, enabling reactions that would otherwise occur too slowly to sustain biological functions.
Each enzyme is highly specific, fitting with its substrate like a lock and key. This specificity allows organisms to control thousands of different reactions simultaneously. From digestion to DNA replication, enzymes orchestrate the chemistry of life.
In Scrabble, ENZYME presents a valuable 6-letter word containing both Y and Z. Scientific terms like this have increasingly entered standard dictionaries, making them valid plays that combine educational value with scoring potential.
Enzymes have revolutionized industries from medicine to manufacturing. Biological detergents contain enzymes that break down stains, while industrial processes use enzymes to produce everything from corn syrup to stonewashed jeans. Understanding enzymes has been crucial to biotechnology's development.
The word 'enzyme' was coined in 1878 by German physiologist Wilhelm Kühne from Greek 'en' meaning 'in' and 'zyme' meaning 'leaven' or 'yeast.' He created it to describe the substances in yeast that cause fermentation, distinguishing them from the living yeast cells themselves.
Words with similar meaning
CATALYST
Reaction speeder
PROTEIN
Most enzymes' composition
BIOCATALYST
Biological catalyst
Words with opposite meaning
INHIBITOR
Blocks enzyme action
SUBSTRATE
What enzyme acts upon
Plural Form
enzymes
Related Terms
Lack of specific enzyme
Breaks down food
Rate of catalysis
Total base points: 20 (Scrabble)
Vowels: 2 | Consonants: 4
Other high-scoring 6-letter words (Scrabble)
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"The enzyme lactase breaks down lactose in milk, and its absence causes lactose intolerance."
"Scientists discovered a plastic-eating enzyme that could help solve pollution problems."
"ENZYME on a double word score provided both education and points."
Enzymes bridge the molecular and practical worlds, making possible everything from bread-making to genetic engineering. They've transformed our understanding of life as chemistry and enabled the biotechnology revolution. The term has entered common usage through products like enzyme cleaners and digestive aids.
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