Invertase
Invertase
Invertase (pronounced /ɪnˈvɜːrteɪz/) is an enzyme that catalyzes the hydrolysis of sucrose (table sugar) into fructose and glucose.
Etymology
The term "invertase" comes from the process of inversion, in which sucrose is "inverted" or broken down into its component sugars, fructose and glucose. The suffix "-ase" is used in biochemistry to denote enzymes.
Function
Invertase is found in many organisms, including plants, bacteria, and yeast. In humans, it is found in the digestive system, where it helps to break down sucrose into simpler sugars that can be absorbed and used by the body.
Related Terms
- Enzyme: A protein that catalyzes a specific biochemical reaction.
- Hydrolysis: The chemical breakdown of a compound due to reaction with water.
- Sucrose: A type of sugar that is commonly used as a sweetener in food and drink.
- Fructose: A simple sugar found in many plants, especially fruits, and in honey.
- Glucose: A simple sugar that is an important energy source in living organisms and is a component of many carbohydrates.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Invertase
- Wikipedia's article - Invertase
This WikiMD dictionary article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.
Languages: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
Urdu,
বাংলা,
తెలుగు,
தமிழ்,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
русский,
português do Brasil,
Italian,
polski