active site
noun
: a region on the surface of an enzyme whose shape permits binding only of a specific molecular substrate that then undergoes catalysis
Examples of active site in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The number of active sites grew repeatedly during the pandemic, and at one point in late 2022 the riverbed had 130 encampments, the highest total on record.
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Blake Nelson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 June 2025
Designing enzymes with computers The first attempts to computationally design enzymes still largely relied on natural enzymes as a starting point, focusing on placing enzyme active sites into natural proteins.
—Sam Pellock, The Conversation, 13 Feb. 2025
Overall, the simple breaking of one chemical bond has at least four distinct stages and requires multiple amino acids to be positioned within the enzyme's active site with atomic precision.
—John Timmer, Ars Technica, 14 Feb. 2025
The unique grooves in the enzyme – the lock – that interact with the target molecule – the key – are found in a region of the enzyme known as the active site.
—Sam Pellock, The Conversation, 13 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for active site
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Blake Nelson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 June 2025
Designing enzymes with computers The first attempts to computationally design enzymes still largely relied on natural enzymes as a starting point, focusing on placing enzyme active sites into natural proteins.
—Sam Pellock, The Conversation, 13 Feb. 2025
Overall, the simple breaking of one chemical bond has at least four distinct stages and requires multiple amino acids to be positioned within the enzyme's active site with atomic precision.
—John Timmer, Ars Technica, 14 Feb. 2025
The unique grooves in the enzyme – the lock – that interact with the target molecule – the key – are found in a region of the enzyme known as the active site.
—Sam Pellock, The Conversation, 13 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for active site
Cite this Entry
“Active site.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/active%20site. Accessed 12 Jul. 2025.
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