polymerase
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun: An enzyme that catalyzes the synthesis of a polymer, specifically new DNA or RNA molecules, using an existing strand of DNA or RNA as a template.
Usage
"Polymerase" is a scientific term used primarily in biochemistry, molecular biology, and genetics. It refers to a specific class of enzymes essential for nucleic acid replication and transcription. The word is typically used with a modifier specifying the type of nucleic acid it synthesizes (e.g., DNA polymerase, RNA polymerase).
Examples
- DNA polymerase is crucial for cell division.
- The experiment required a heat-stable polymerase.
- RNA polymerase reads the DNA sequence to produce messenger RNA.
Advanced Usage
- Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR): A foundational laboratory technique for amplifying specific DNA sequences, which relies on a DNA polymerase enzyme.
- Example: PCR, which utilizes a thermostable polymerase, revolutionized molecular biology.
Variants and Related Words
- DNA polymerase (n): An enzyme that synthesizes DNA molecules from deoxyribonucleotides.
- RNA polymerase (n): An enzyme that synthesizes RNA from a DNA template.
- Taq polymerase (n): A heat-stable DNA polymerase isolated from the bacterium , widely used in PCR.
- Polymerase activity (n): The catalytic function of a polymerase enzyme.
Synonyms
- Enzyme: A broader category of proteins that catalyze biochemical reactions, which includes polymerases.
- Catalyst: A general term for any substance that increases the rate of a chemical reaction without being consumed.
Notes on Different Meanings
The term "polymerase" has a single, specific meaning in biology. It does not have common idiomatic or figurative uses. Its definition is consistently tied to its function in nucleic acid synthesis.
Noun
- an enzyme that catalyzes the formation of new DNA and RNA from an existing strand of DNA or RNA