cellulase

[ sel-yuh-leys, -leyz ]
/ ˈsɛl yəˌleɪs, -ˌleɪz /

noun Biochemistry.

any of several enzymes, produced primarily by fungi and bacteria, that catalyze the hydrolysis of cellulose.

Origin of cellulase

First recorded in 1900–05; cellul(ose) + -ase

Words nearby cellulase

cellular pathology, cellular radio, cellular respiration, cellular slime mold, cellularity, cellulase, cellulate, cellule, cellulicidal, cellulifugal, cellulipetal

Example sentences from the Web for cellulase

British Dictionary definitions for cellulase

cellulase
/ (ˈsɛljʊˌleɪz) /

noun

any enzyme that converts cellulose to the disaccharide cellobiose

Word Origin for cellulase

C20: from cellulose + -ase

Medical definitions for cellulase

cellulase
[ sĕl′yə-lās′, -lāz′ ]

n.

Any of several enzymes produced chiefly by fungi, bacteria, and protozoans that catalyze the hydrolysis of cellulose.

Scientific definitions for cellulase

cellulase
[ sĕl′yə-lās′ ]

Any of several enzymes produced chiefly by fungi, bacteria, and protozoans that catalyze the breakdown of cellulose. Protozoans in the guts of termites produce the cellulase needed for the termites to digest wood.