An enzyme that catalyzes the synthesis of a compound, typically requiring energy input like ATP.
From Greek synthesis 'putting together' + -ase (enzyme suffix from diastase). Coined in biochemistry in the mid-20th century to distinguish from synthetases, which don't require direct energy input.
ATP synthase is called the 'molecular motor' of life because it literally rotates like a turbine to produce the energy currency of cells. This enzyme is so efficient that it can produce over 100 ATP molecules per second while consuming minimal energy.
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