lysozyme
Definition
Noun: * An enzyme found in saliva, sweat, and tears that destroys the cell walls of certain bacteria. Lysozyme is a natural antibacterial agent that acts as part of the body's innate immune system by breaking down the peptidoglycan layer in the cell walls of many gram-positive bacteria.
Examples of Usage
- Noun:
- Human tears contain lysozyme to protect the eyes from bacterial infection.
- The lysozyme in saliva helps to control the bacterial population in the mouth.
- Researchers studied the effectiveness of lysozyme against various pathogens.
Advanced Usage
- "Lysozyme activity": Refers to the measurable function or potency of the enzyme in breaking down bacterial cell walls.
- The test measured the lysozyme activity in the different samples.
- Used in scientific and medical contexts related to immunology, microbiology, and biochemistry.
Variants and Related Words
- Muramidase (n): A technical synonym for lysozyme, referring to its specific action on muramic acid in bacterial cell walls.
Synonyms
- Muramidase: The systematic name for the enzyme.
- Antibacterial enzyme: A descriptive term for its function.
Notes on Meaning
This word has a single, specific scientific meaning. It does not have common idioms or phrasal verbs associated with it, as it is a technical term used primarily in biology and medicine.
Noun
-
an enzyme found in saliva and sweat and tears that destroys the cell walls of certain bacteria
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