Processive

Part of speech: adjective

Definitions

1. Describing the capability of an enzyme or molecular motor to continuously catalyze or move along a substrate without dissociating after each reaction step; relating to the act of progressing steadily through a series of actions or stages
2. Characterizing a biochemical entity that performs multiple consecutive catalytic cycles without releasing its substrate; pertaining to gradual and systematic advancement through a sequence of processes or events
3. Referring to the property of maintaining continuous action in catalysis or motion along a polymer chain without interruption; indicating the steady progression through defined phases or operations in a process

Etymology: Its root is the Latin verb "procedere," which combined "pro-" (forward) with "cedere" (to go). Its past participle, "processus," gave English the noun "process," and "procession" comes from the same verb, so a religious march and a chemical reaction share an ancestor meaning roughly "a going forward." The adjective adds the suffix "-ive," which reached English through French from Latin "-ivus" and turns a noun into a quality, here something characterised by a process. In its specialist sense, it describes enzymes that stay attached to their target and complete many catalytic steps in a row, moving along a DNA strand or a microtubule instead of releasing after each action. A "distributive" enzyme, by contrast, lets go of its substrate after every step.

Synonyms: continuous, progressive, ongoing, sequential, successive

Antonyms: discontinuous, intermittent, sporadic, stop-start, broken