Cellulase
any of several enzymes, produced primarily by fungi and bacteria, that catalyze the hydrolysis of cellulose.
Historical Examples
noun
any enzyme that converts cellulose to the disaccharide cellobiose
cellulase cel·lu·lase (sěl’yə-lās’, -lāz’)
n.
Any of several enzymes produced chiefly by fungi, bacteria, and protozoans that catalyze the hydrolysis of cellulose.
cellulase
(sěl’yə-lās’)
Any of several enzymes produced chiefly by fungi, bacteria, and protozoans that catalyze the breakdown of cellulose. Protozoans in the guts of termites produce the cellulase needed for the termites to digest wood.
Read Also:
- Cellule
a minute cell. Historical Examples noun a very small cell cellule cel·lule (sěl’yōōl) n. A small cell.
- Cellulicidal
cellulicidal cel·lu·li·cid·al (sěl’yə-lĭ-sīd’l) adj. Destructive to cells.
- Cellulifugal
cellulifugal cel·lu·lif·u·gal (sěl’yə-lĭf’yə-gəl, -lĭf’ə-) adj. Moving from, repelling, or extending away from a cell or cell body.
- Cellulipetal
cellulipetal cel·lu·lip·e·tal (sěl’yə-lĭp’ĭ-tl) adj. Moving or extending toward a cell or cell body.
- Cellulite
lumpy fat deposits, especially in the thighs and buttocks. Contemporary Examples noun a name sometimes given to subcutaneous fat alleged to resist dieting n. “lumpy, dimpled fat,” 1968, from French cellulite, from cellule “a small cell” (16c., from Latin cellula “little cell,” diminutive of cella; see cell) + -ite (see -ite (1)). cellulite cel·lu·lite (sěl’yə-līt’) […]