Arginase

/ˈɑrdʒɪneɪz/ noun

Definition

An enzyme that breaks down the amino acid arginine into ornithine and urea, playing a crucial role in the urea cycle that removes nitrogen waste from the body.

Etymology

From 'arginine' + '-ase' (enzyme suffix). Named in the early 1900s when biochemists identified this specific enzyme that acts on arginine substrate.

Kelly Says

Arginase is like your body's nitrogen garbage disposal—without it, your body couldn't convert the toxic nitrogen from protein breakdown into urea that you safely pee out!

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