carbohydrase: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Technical / Scientific
Quick answer
What does “carbohydrase” mean?
An enzyme that breaks down carbohydrates into simpler sugars.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
An enzyme that breaks down carbohydrates into simpler sugars.
A general term for any enzyme, such as amylase or lactase, that catalyzes the hydrolysis of polysaccharides, disaccharides, or other carbohydrates into their constituent monosaccharides.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. Spelling is identical. The term is equally technical in both varieties.
Connotations
Neutral, scientific term in both dialects.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in general discourse, but standard and equally frequent in scientific literature in both the UK and US.
Grammar
How to Use “carbohydrase” in a Sentence
The [noun] produces a carbohydrase that breaks down [carbohydrate].Carbohydrase activity was measured in the [sample].[Subject] is a carbohydrase.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “carbohydrase” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The enzyme carbohydrases starch efficiently.
- This microbe is engineered to carbohydrase cellulose.
American English
- The enzyme carbohydrases starch efficiently.
- This microbe is engineered to carbohydrase cellulose.
adverb
British English
- The substrate was broken down carbohydrasely (extremely rare/non-standard).
American English
- The substrate was broken down carbohydrasely (extremely rare/non-standard).
adjective
British English
- The carbohydrase activity was highest at pH 7.
- They studied the carbohydrase mechanism.
American English
- The carbohydrase activity was highest at pH 7.
- They studied the carbohydrase mechanism.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in biotechnology, pharmaceutical, or food manufacturing industries (e.g., 'The company developed a new carbohydrase for biofuel production.').
Academic
Common in biochemistry, molecular biology, food science, and nutrition research papers and textbooks.
Everyday
Virtually never used in everyday conversation.
Technical
Standard term in technical manuals, lab reports, and scientific discussions about enzymes and digestion.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “carbohydrase”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “carbohydrase”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “carbohydrase”
- Incorrect: 'carbohydrate-ase' (using a hyphen). Correct: 'carbohydrase'.
- Incorrect pronunciation placing stress on the first syllable ('CARbohydrase'). Correct stress is on the third syllable ('...HYD...').
- Using it as a countable noun for the sugars produced (e.g., 'The carbohydrases are glucose and fructose') instead of for the enzyme itself.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, 'carbohydrase' is a general category of enzymes. Amylase is a specific type of carbohydrase that breaks down starch.
They are found in saliva (amylase), the pancreas (amylase, other enzymes), and the small intestine (lactase, sucrase, maltase).
No, it is a highly specialized, low-frequency word used almost exclusively in scientific and technical contexts.
It would sound very unnatural. In everyday contexts, you would use more general terms like 'digestive enzyme' or refer to the specific problem, e.g., 'lactose intolerance' instead of 'lactase deficiency'.
An enzyme that breaks down carbohydrates into simpler sugars.
Carbohydrase is usually technical / scientific in register.
Carbohydrase: in British English it is pronounced /ˌkɑːbəʊˈhaɪdreɪz/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌkɑːrboʊˈhaɪdreɪs/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “No idioms exist for this technical term.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: CARBO (like carbohydrate) + HYDR (water, as in hydrolysis) + ASE (enzyme ending). So, a 'carbohydrase' is a 'water-splitting enzyme for carbohydrates.'
Conceptual Metaphor
SCISSORS or KEY: A carbohydrase is conceptually a pair of molecular scissors that cuts large carbohydrate chains, or a key that unlocks sugar molecules.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary function of a carbohydrase?