urease

[ yoor-ee-eys, -eyz ]

noun

, Biochemistry.

1. an enzyme that changes urea into ammonium carbonate, occurring in bacteria, fungi, etc.

urease

/ ˈjʊərɪˌeɪs; -ˌeɪz /

noun

1. an enzyme occurring in many plants, esp fungi, that converts urea to ammonium carbonate

Word History and Origins

Origin of urease¹

First recorded in 1895–1900; ure(a) + -ase

Example Sentences

The synthetic, membrane-less droplets contain a very high concentration of the bovine protein BSA to mimic the crowded conditions inside cells, as well as urease, an enzyme that catalyzes the breakdown of urea into ammonia.

From Science Daily

"I read that there was an enzyme called urease that makes ammonia ... the literature said there were some plants that have high levels of urease inhibitors - one of those was watercress."

From BBC

It works like so: A certain category of bacteria, called "urease bacteria," can use a chemical called urea as a source of nutrients.

From Salon

Loose sand is colonized with bacteria that produce the enzyme urease.

From Reuters

Loose sand, which has been colonised with bacteria that produces urease, is mixed with the urine.

From The Guardian