saccharase
/sækˈkær.eɪs/ · sac·cha·rase
noun
- An enzyme that breaks down sugars into simpler compounds. The saccharase in the plant's cells helps to convert starch into glucose for energy.
- A type of sugar-digesting enzyme found in the saliva of certain animals. The saccharase in the rabbit's saliva helps to break down the complex sugars in plant cell walls.
Did you know? The term saccharase was first used in the 19th century to describe the enzyme responsible for breaking down sugars in plant cells, and has since been applied to other sugar-digesting enzymes found in various organisms.