phosphatase

[ fos-fuh-teys, -teyz ]

noun

, Biochemistry.

1. any of several classes of esterases of varying specificity that catalyze the hydrolysis of phosphoric esters.

phosphatase

/ ˈfɒsfəˌteɪs; -ˌteɪz /

noun

1. any of a group of enzymes that catalyse the hydrolysis of organic phosphates

Word History and Origins

Origin of phosphatase¹

First recorded in 1910–15; phosphate + -ase

Example Sentences

In younger forests, where nitrogen tends to be the most limiting nutrient, adding phosphorus did not change phosphatase activity, but adding nitrogen did.

From Science Daily

As advertised, the drug is lowering levels of an enzyme called alkaline phosphatase in their blood, and that should be a sign of healing for their autoimmune disease, called primary biliary cholangitis.

From Seattle Times

The drug is designed to replace alkaline phosphatase and to improve bone health.

From Washington Post

What’s more, the wildflowers’ sticky hairs oozed phosphatase, a digestive enzyme that many carnivorous plants secrete to consume prey.

From Washington Post

He also showed that the hairs make the same enzyme, phosphatase, that other carnivorous plants use to extract the nutrient phosphorus from prey.

From Science Magazine