peroxidase

A peroxidase is an enzyme that catalyzes the oxidation of various substances using peroxides. Peroxidases belong to the broader class of oxidoreductases, which are enzymes that remove hydrogen atoms and electrons from compounds. These enzymes are crucial in metabolic systems, where they transfer hydrogen and electrons, often to oxygen. While the term "peroxidase" specifically refers to an enzyme, "peroxide" describes a class of chemical compounds containing two oxygen atoms linked by a single covalent bond. These compounds have various industrial uses, including as bleaching agents and polymerization initiators. Catalase, an enzyme found in the liver and cells, is also related and abundant in peroxisomes.1234