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Guilherme Mazui

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What is the Difference Between Reductase and Oxidoreductase?

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The main difference between reductase and oxidoreductase lies in the reactions they catalyze:

  • Reductase: Reductases are enzymes that catalyze reduction reactions, where electrons are transferred from one molecule to another, reducing the molecule that receives the electrons.
  • Oxidoreductase: Oxidoreductases, also known as redox enzymes, catalyze both oxidation and reduction reactions. These enzymes transfer electrons between molecules, with one molecule losing electrons (oxidation) and another molecule gaining electrons (reduction).

Both reductases and oxidoreductases participate in redox reactions, but oxidoreductases can catalyze both types of reactions, while reductases are specifically involved in reduction reactions. Some oxidoreductases can even catalyze both oxidation and reduction reactions within the same chemical reaction.

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  • What is the Difference Between Reductase and Oxidoreductase?
  • Comparative Table: Reductase vs Oxidoreductase

    • Comparative Table: Reductase vs Oxidoreductase

    Reductase and oxidoreductase are two types of enzymes involved in redox reactions. Here is a table comparing their differences:

    Feature Reductase Oxidoreductase
    Definition Reductase is an enzyme that catalyzes the reduction reactions. Oxidoreductase is an enzyme that catalyzes both oxidation and reduction reactions.
    Types Reductases are a subset of oxidoreductases. Oxidoreductases consist of several different enzymes, such as peroxidase, reductase, dehydrogenase, oxidase, oxygenase, and hydroxylase.
    Reactions Reductases are involved in reduction reactions, where they give electrons to a molecule. Oxidoreductases manage redox reactions, transferring electrons between molecules. They are involved in aerobic and anaerobic respiration reactions, glycolysis, TCA cycle, oxidative phosphorylation, and amino acid metabolism.
    Examples Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase is an oxidoreductase that participates in glycolysis. Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase is an example of an oxidoreductase enzyme.

    Both reductases and oxidoreductases lower the activation energy of the reactions and change the oxidation states of the molecules participating in the reactions.

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    Guilherme Mazui

    Guilherme Mazui is graduated in journalism from the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG) and a master's degree in Communication from the University of São Paulo (USP). In addition, he has experience in advertising writing and has worked as a content editor in several companies.