Coenzyme
Coenzyme: A substance that enhances the action of an enzyme. (An enzyme is a protein that functions as a catalyst to mediate and speed a chemical reaction).
Coenzymes are small molecules. They cannot by themselves catalyze a reaction but they can help enzymes to do so. In technical terms, coenzymes are organic nonprotein molecules that bind with the protein molecule (apoenzyme) to form the active enzyme (holoenzyme).
A number of the water-soluble vitamins such as vitamins B1, B2 and B6 serve as coenzymes.
Read Also:
- Coenzyme Q10
Coenzyme Q10: A compound needed for the proper functioning of an enzyme, a protein that speeds up the rate at which chemical reactions take place in the body. Coenzyme Q10 is used to produce energy to fuel cell growth and maintenance. Coenzyme Q10 is thought to improve the function of mitochondria, the “powerhouses” that produce […]
- Coffin-Lowry syndrome
Coffin-Lowry syndrome: An X-linked form of mental retardation in which the affected males have short stature and characteristic face, finger and skeletal abnormalities. Facial features include prominent forehead, widespread eyes, downslanting eyeslits, prominent ears, thick lips and irregular/missing teeth. The hands are large and soft with lax skin and tapering fingers. Skeletal changes include kyphosis/scoliosis […]
- Coeval
Coeval: Of the same or equal age or duration. For example, the two elderly men were coeval with one another. Coeval usually refers to coexistence for a very long time. “Coeval” comes from the Latin “coaevus” meaning “of the same age.” “Coaevus” is derived from the prefix “co-“(“in or to the same degree”) and “aevum” […]
- Cogan corneal dystrophy
Cogan corneal dystrophy: A disorder in which the cornea shows grayish fingerprint lines, geographic map-like lines, and dots (or microcysts). These lines and dots can be seen on examination with a slit-lamp, which focuses a high-intensity light beam through a slit while the examiner uses a magnifying scope to look at the front of the […]
- Cogan syndrome
Cogan syndrome: A rare form of artery inflammation (arteritis) of unknown cause that affects the ear. Cogan syndrome causes problems of hearing and balance and also inflammation of the cornea and often fever, fatigue, and weight loss. Joint and muscle pains can also be present. Less frequently, the arteritis can involve blood vessels elsewhere in […]