2 syllables: at, pase. Stress on at.
AT-payz
/ˈætpeɪz/
atpase is pronounced AT-payz (/ˈætpeɪz/). It has two syllables (at-pase), with the stress on "at". atpase is a biological enzyme that hydrolyzes ATP to provide energy for cellular processes. In biochemistry, it often appears as a suffix in names of ATPases (e.g., Na+/K+-ATPase). The term combines ATP with the enzyme suffix -ase, signaling its catalytic function in phosphate bond cleavage.
atpase is a biological enzyme that hydrolyzes ATP to provide energy for cellular processes. In biochemistry, it often appears as a suffix in names of ATPases (e.g., Na+/K+-ATPase). The term combines ATP with the enzyme suffix -ase, signaling its catalytic function in phosphate bond cleavage.
- You: You might rush the second syllable and blur /ti/ into /tɪ/. Fix: pause slightly between /æ/ and /ti/ to keep /ti/ distinct. - You: You may treat -ase as a short 'ass' sound; instead, produce the /eɪ/ diphthong in /peɪs/. - You: You may voice the final /s/ as /z/ in rapid speech. Fix: keep voiceless /s/ and ensure mouth closely releases air.
"The Na+/K+-ATPase pump is essential for maintaining electrochemical gradients in cells."
"Researchers measured the activity of the atpase to understand energy turnover in mitochondria."
"Mutations in certain atpases can disrupt ion transport across membranes."
Pronounce as a-two-syllable sequence: /æ.tiˈpeɪs/ in US/UK. Primary stress on the second syllable, with the -ase ending rhyming with 'case'. Mouth position starts with a lax 'a' in ‘at-’, then a clear 'ti' before the stressed 'pase' (/peɪs/). IPA reference: US /æˈtiˌpeɪs/ or /ˌæ.təˈpeɪs/ in some contexts; UK typically /ˈæ.tɪˌpeɪs/ depending on speaker. You’ll want to keep the 'p' voiceless and the final 's' crisp.
Common errors: misplacing stress (saying /ˌeɪˈtiːpeɪs/), confusing the middle syllable as 'ti' with a short i; and softening the final /s/ into a z. Correction: keep /ˈti/ as a clear, light syllable before the stressed /peɪs/, ensure the second syllable has a short but distinct vowel before the /peɪs/, and enunciate the final /s/ crisply to avoid voicing it.
US: /æˈtiˌpeɪs/ with strong rhotics but non-rhotic tendency in careful speech; UK: /ˈæ.tɪˌpeɪs/ with shorter second vowel and less vowel reduction; Australia: /æˈtiːpeɪs/ or /æ.tɪˈpeɪs/ with flatter intonation and less tense vowels; all share /peɪs/ ending but vowel length and stress can shift slightly by dialect.
It challenges speakers with the consonant cluster -tp- and the diphthong in -pase (/peɪs/). The middle syllable is short but essential for rhythm, and the final -ase requires a crisp unvoiced /s/ rather than a voiced /z/. Additionally, scientists may encounter acronyms (ATP) adjacent to the full word, which can cause speed- or stress-related mispronunciations.
No, all letters contribute to sounds. The 'p' in atpase is pronounced as part of the /p/ consonant in the onset of the third syllable, and the 'e' in -ase contributes to the /eɪ/ vowel sound in the diphthong /peɪs/. This is not a silent-letter word; emphasis remains on the second syllable, with the final /s/ audible.
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- US: emphasize rhoticity and clear /æ/ in initial syllable; the /ti/ is light; /peɪs/ uses a tense glide. - UK: slightly shorter vowels, sharper /t/ release, non-rhotic but with clear second syllable. - AU: tends to a flat intonation, vowels are broader; /æ/ can be more fronted; final /s/ remains voiceless. IPA references: US /æˈtiˌpeɪs/, UK /ˈæ.tɪˌpeɪs/, AU /æˈtiːpeɪs/.
The term atpase derives from ATP (adenosine triphosphate) combined with the enzyme suffix -ase, used to name enzymes that catalyze chemical reactions. ATP itself comes from adenosine and triphosphate with structural phosphate groups; the scientific term ATP was established in the early 20th century as biochemists identified energy transfer molecules. The first known use of the general -ase suffix in enzyme names goes back to the 19th century with studies by late-1800s biochemists who classified catalysts by suffixes like -ase. The specific designation “atpase” became common in mid-20th century biochemistry as scientists described ATPases in membranes and cytosol, from Na+/K+-ATPase to V-ATPase, distinguishing enzymes that hydrolyze or synthesize ATP in various cellular contexts. Over time, “atpase” evolved from a descriptive label for ATP-hydrolyzing enzymes to a precise functional class in bioenergetics and membrane transport, with widespread usage in physiology and pathology literature.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "atpase" and can often be used interchangeably.
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Words that rhyme with "atpase"
-ase sounds
-ace sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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