nitrogenase

[ nahy-troj-uh-neys, -neyz, nahy-truh-juh- ]

noun

, Biochemistry.

1. an enzyme complex that catalyzes the reduction of molecular nitrogen in the nitrogen-fixation process of bacteria.

nitrogenase

/ nī-trŏj′ə-nās′,nī′trə-jə- /

1. An enzyme of nitrogen-fixing bacteria that catalyzes the conversion of nitrogen to ammonia.

Word History and Origins

Origin of nitrogenase¹

First recorded in 1930–35; nitrogen + -ase

Example Sentences

"For years, we have been finding gene fragments encoding the nitrogen-fixing nitrogenase enzyme, which appeared to belong to one particular non-cyanobacterial nitrogen fixer," says Marcel Kuypers, lead author on the study.

From Science Daily

This is where the microbes’ nitrogenase enzyme kicks in.

From Science Magazine

But most of the biosphere’s usable nitrogen is the result of bacteria employing an enzyme called nitrogenase to pull nitrogen out of the air. 

From Scientific American

A few microorganisms possess nitrogenase enzymes that can perform this chemical reaction, and about half of the nitrogen in your body comes from these microorganisms.

From Scientific American

A key step in the global nitrogen cycle is the reduction of atmospheric dinitrogen to ammonia by nitrogenase, a complex metalloenzyme.

From Science Magazine