cytochrome oxidase

noun

: an iron-porphyrin enzyme important in cellular respiration due to its ability to catalyze the oxidation of reduced cytochrome c in the presence of oxygen

Examples of cytochrome oxidase in a Sentence

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The mitochondrial gene that’s usually used in barcoding, called cytochrome oxidase 1, or CO1, is not necessarily the best option for analyzing the genetic differences between species, especially as technology has expanded to allow for cheaper analysis of a fuller genetic picture. Brooke Jarvis, WIRED, 10 Nov. 2022 The mitochondria needs a specific enzyme called cytochrome oxidase to make this possible. Meg Neal, Popular Mechanics, 4 Oct. 2020 In practice, this has meant focusing on the cytochrome oxidase I gene, which has been found to be dissimilar-enough across fish species that it can be used to distinguish one species from another. Chase Purdy, Quartz, 5 Nov. 2019

Word History

First Known Use

1942, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of cytochrome oxidase was in 1942

Dictionary Entries Near cytochrome oxidase

Cite this Entry

“Cytochrome oxidase.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cytochrome%20oxidase. Accessed 23 Dec. 2024.

Medical Definition

cytochrome oxidase

noun
: an iron-porphyrin enzyme important in cellular respiration because of its ability to catalyze the oxidation of reduced cytochrome c in the presence of oxygen

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