cytochrome oxidase An enzyme containing both copper and iron that, because of its ability (unique among the cytochromes) to reduce molecular oxygen to water, catalyses the terminal reaction in oxidative phosphorylation.

cytochrome oxidase An enzyme, containing copper and iron, that, because of its ability (unique among the cytochromes) to reduce molecular oxygen to water, catalyses the terminal reaction in oxidative phosphorylation.

cytochrome oxidase An enzyme complex comprising the terminal two cytochromes (cytochromes a and a₃) of the respiratory chain in the mitochondria (see electron transport chain). It is responsible for the reduction of oxygen, receiving two electrons from cytochrome c (which precedes it in the chain) and combining them with two hydrogen ions and an oxygen atom to form water.