Definition

A type of enzyme that helps break down proteins into smaller parts, like peptides or amino acids.

Example

Proteases play a crucial role in digestion by breaking down the proteins we eat.

Conversation

I read an article about how protease enzymes work in the body.

Oh really? I didn't know much about enzymes before.

Yeah, they break down proteins into peptides, which is pretty fascinating.

That sounds interesting! I should look into it more.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Protease → It is formed from "proteo-" (from Greek "proteios", meaning primary or first) and "-ase" (a suffix used in biochemistry to denote enzymes). The word "protease" refers to an enzyme that breaks down proteins, highlighting its primary role in protein metabolism.

Memory Tip

Think of 'proteins' being broken down by an 'enzyme' (the '-ase' part) that is essential for digestion and metabolism.

Visually Confused Words