nitrogenase
noun
ni·tro·ge·nase
nī-ˈträ-jə-ˌnās 
ˈnī-trə-jə-
ˈnī-trə-jə-
-ˌnāz
: an enzyme of various nitrogen-fixing bacteria that catalyzes the reduction of molecular nitrogen to ammonia
Examples of nitrogenase in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The proteins involved in nitrogenase aren’t so easy to make.
—
Matthew Hutson, The New Yorker, 6 Feb. 2024
This nitrogenase uses only iron, without molybdenum or vanadium.
—Matthew Hutson, The New Yorker, 6 Feb. 2024
In an alternative approach, soil bacteria that naturally colonize the roots of cereals but cannot fix nitrogen are taught to produce nitrogenase, the key enzyme that converts nitrogen from the air into plant-compatible ammonia.
—Scientific American, 1 Dec. 2021
Leghemoglobin, which has a high affinity for oxygen, is able to buffer the concentration of free oxygen in the cytoplasm of the infected plant cells to ensure proper function of the oxygen-sensitive nitrogenase, the enzyme responsible for fixing atmospheric nitrogen.
—Ashton Yoon, Discover Magazine, 26 Sep. 2017
Matthew Hutson, The New Yorker, 6 Feb. 2024
This nitrogenase uses only iron, without molybdenum or vanadium.
—Matthew Hutson, The New Yorker, 6 Feb. 2024
In an alternative approach, soil bacteria that naturally colonize the roots of cereals but cannot fix nitrogen are taught to produce nitrogenase, the key enzyme that converts nitrogen from the air into plant-compatible ammonia.
—Scientific American, 1 Dec. 2021
Leghemoglobin, which has a high affinity for oxygen, is able to buffer the concentration of free oxygen in the cytoplasm of the infected plant cells to ensure proper function of the oxygen-sensitive nitrogenase, the enzyme responsible for fixing atmospheric nitrogen.
—Ashton Yoon, Discover Magazine, 26 Sep. 2017
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'nitrogenase.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1934, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near nitrogenase
Cite this Entry
“Nitrogenase.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nitrogenase. Accessed 16 Apr. 2024.
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Medical Definition
nitrogenase
noun
ni·tro·ge·nase
nī-ˈträj-ə-ˌnās
ˈnī-trə-jə-
ˈnī-trə-jə-
-ˌnāz
: an iron- and molybdenum-containing enzyme of various nitrogen-fixing microorganisms (as some bacteria) that catalyzes the reduction of molecular nitrogen to ammonia
More from Merriam-Webster on nitrogenase
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about nitrogenase
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